XOXO, Valentina Blog Tour

December 10, 2021

Release Date: November 3, 2021

Summary

He’s the hot new Spanish teacher.

I’m the principal.

That spells trouble with a capital T.

My story is simple. I’m one of the lucky ones. I had a man who rocked my world. I loved with my whole heart. Then, I lost. But at least I’d loved, and I had a son to keep his father’s memory alive.

I never thought I would be interested in a man again. Between herding a teenager toward manhood and running the highest-ranking elementary school in Azalea County, I didn’t have time for anything more than a fictional book boyfriend.

Then, Mr. Morales strolled down my hall and hola’d his way straight to my starved libido.

Work used to be my sanctuary. Now, every day is sweet torture.

I can’t lead a staff meeting without picturing him naked. One smile renders me speechless. I’m swooning in the halls, and it’s not because one of the students brought tuna fish for lunch.

I may be hot for teacher, but I’ll never have another man in my life. Especially one like Mr. Morales who’s more trouble than he’s worth.

Don’t miss out on this steamy romantic comedy set in the small town of Mossy Oak, North Carolina, where you’ll find the best bookshop in the world, a gold-medal winery, and an abundance of book boyfriends.

Review

Gabriella is a single mother who’s the principal of an elementary school. Busy raising a teenage son and being in charge of a school; Gabi has no time for a personal life.
Fernando “Joey” is the Spanish teacher who captures everyone’s attention. He is the one person who can see through Gabi’s “Iron Lady” persona and sees who she is.

XOXO, Valentina is the second book from the Blue Ridge Book Club series but can be read as a standalone. I had never read anything from Jill Brashear before, so I didn’t know how I’d feel.

I don’t think I was in the right headspace while reading XOXO, Valentina.
Maybe if I had read it at a different time when I felt better, I would have enjoyed it more than I did. But, instead, it was as if I was going through the motions reading. I wasn’t interested a lot of the time and couldn’t focus on what was in front of me. I don’t think it has anything to do with Jill Brashear’s writing or XOXO, Valentina itself, but moreso to do with me. I think I will give XOXO, Valentina, another chance when I can. If not, then give Jill Brashear another chance, at least.

The book reviews included in XOXO, Valentina was different, something I hadn’t seen before and enjoyed. There are books about book clubs, but not ones with book reviews in them, or at least the ones I had read. The side characters were fascinating—especially the ones in the book club. I would have loved to see more of the book club aspect since XOXO, Valentina, is part of the Blue Ridge Book Club series. Maybe it was more prominent in the first book, Love, Lacey Donovan? I haven’t read it yet, so I don’t know.

Gabi and Joey’s relationship is always so hot and cold. There was so much back and forth, and I felt like I kept getting whiplash. No relationship is perfect, but If they had talked to one another, there wouldn’t be any miscommunication. I don’t mind a slow burn, but I would like some angst along with it. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough angst to keep me interested the whole time. There were moments when I lost interest, but not enough to stop reading altogether. I enjoyed XOXO, Valentina overall and want to read more from Jill Brashear.

I received XOXO, Valentina in exchange for an honest review, but that does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Goodreads

Amazon

Jill Brashear

Website: www.jillbrashear.com
Amazon: https://bit.ly/jbrashearamazon
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18905487.Jill_Brashear
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jill-brashear
Facebook: http://bit.ly/JillBrashearAuthorFB
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/328348928027245/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillybook/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jill_author

More than Fine Blog Tour

November 26, 2021

Release Date: November 24, 2021

Summary

She’s running from her past, he’s hiding from the world when suddenly their lives collide.

Trish Biltman has spent the last two years evading a past she fears. Tucked away in a small seaside Jersey town, with her two young children, her life is simple. Until the day a photo from her best friend’s highly publicized wedding shows up on Page 6, and she finds herself once again on the run trying to keep her family safe.

Since his divorce, Grant Evans focuses his time and attention on his secluded Pennsylvania farm. His solitary life is fine, until the quiet, brown eyed Trish and her adorable—but loud—kids need somewhere to go. Since his farm is their only option Grant reluctantly opens his doors to them.

Both Trish and her kids, begin to thaw the ice that held Grant’s heart captive for years as he teaches her to trust again. But the darkness from her past comes back, threatening their relationship, just as Grant starts to believe life can be More than Fine.

Review

More Than Fine is the second book in the Becoming an Evans series. We meet the Evans clan in More Than the Game. You can read both books as standalones. However, I recommend reading both to get the whole experience of the Evans clan.

Sometimes book titles are book titles as long as it captures the essence of the story. But I love it when the title appears in the book. When you can stumble upon when reading and say, “that’s why that’s the title.”

Trish ran away from her past to make a better life for herself and her children. She built walls around herself, constantly looking over her shoulders, on the lookout for troubles from her past. You know the saying, ‘you can run from the past, but it always catches up with you.’ You can’t run away from your problems, no matter how much you want to. But, sooner or later, you have to face it. Grant has been burnt from a previous marriage. He’s doesn’t talk much and doesn’t let anyone in. And yet Trish and Grant manage to become friends.

Trish’s motto is ‘everything is fine. I’m fine.’ Grant knows that when a woman says ‘fine,’ it is not what she means. Grant tells Trish, “I wish I could give you something that was more than fine.” They say ‘wounded souls find each other.’ They connect because their souls are broken and can relate to one another. They understand one another. Grant chipped at Trish’s walls until the point that “for once, “fine” didn’t sit well with her.”

The Evans clan is an interesting bunch. I hope they each get their own story. I can’t wait to see what Jenni Bara has in store for us next.

I received More Than Fine in exchange for an honest review, but that does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Goodreads

Amazon

Jenni Bara

Website: http://www.jennibara.com
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EhxIc1
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/JenniGR
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jenni-bara
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennibarabooks
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jennisworld
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennibarabooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jenniferbbar3

Canadian Fall Blog Tour

November 23, 2021

Release Date: November 23, 2021

Summary

Lila Jameson’s life had been nothing but hard work. Breaking the cycle of working endless jobs, she achieved her goal of owning a bakery with her best friend. That was until her dreams went up in flames.

Literally.

While her beloved bakery was restored after a massive fire, her apartment above was not. She’s left with no money, no car, no place to live. With nowhere to go, she’s forced to accept help from the one person that could both save her, and ruin her.

Travis Langston spent his life working towards being an officer in the Logan Creek Police Department. The chance of promotion is within his grasp, with the stipulation that he prove he’s dedicated to staying in Logan Creek.

With a murder that rocked the town and a fake relationship with the only woman he’s ever truly wanted, Travis is at a crossroads about what he really wants out of life. Can he get the promotion and keep the woman he’s falling for?

Review

“You’ll give in to me one day, my little snickerdoodle.”

Travis and Lila’s story began in Canadian Summer. Canadian Fall begins not that long after where Canadian Summer ended. So even though it is part of a series, you can still read Canadian Fall as a standalone. However, I recommend reading Canadian Summer for your enjoyment and background to enhance your overall experience.

Lila is more complicated than what meets the eyes. She always had to work for everything she had. So when someone gives her something, she doesn’t feel like she has earned it. Lila’s independent and feisty. Travis was once a player. He can’t seem to shake his past for his future because it’s such a small town. He must set down roots for a promotion and show that he’s serious about staying for the long haul.
Lila and Travis’s relationship has a special place in my heart. They both love each other but never tell the other until later on in Canadian Fall. Instead, they fake-date for Travis’s promotion. Travis doesn’t call Lila by her name but rather a series of nicknames, trying to find the perfect one for her. I love that in the end, he finally found it.

I discovered Kimberly Ann through Instagram and haven’t regretted it. I can’t wait for the rest of the series.

I received Canadian Fall in exchange for an honest review, but that does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Goodreads

Amazon