Jersey Girl Book Reviews: Romantic Comedy

Showing posts with label Romantic Comedy. Show all posts

Friday, March 14, 2025

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison (Book Review)

Book Review

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

Book 1: Heartstrings Series

Publisher: Berkley / Penguin Publishing

Publication Date: February 11, 2025

Format: Paperback - 448 pages

Audiobook - 11 Hours 54 Minutes

Kindle - 4.3 KB / 446 pages

Nook - 3 MB / 448 pages

ISBN: 978-0593641194

ASIN (Audiobook): B0D5YY1MR4

ASIN (Kindle): B0D3Z2M35D

BNID: 978-0593641200

Genre: Romantic Comedy

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I have also purchased a hardcover copy via my monthly subscription to Book Of The Month.

Book Description:

A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle-inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

Aiden Valentine has a secret: he's fallen out of love with love. And as the host of Baltimore's romance hotline, that's a bit of a problem. But when a young girl calls in to the station asking for dating advice for her mom, the interview goes viral, thrusting Aiden and Heartstrings into the limelight.

Lucie Stone thought she was doing just fine. She has a good job; an incredible family; and a smart, slightly devious kid. But when all of Baltimore is suddenly scrutinizing her love life-or lack thereof—she begins to question if she's as happy as she thought. Maybe a little more romance wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Everyone wants Lucie to find her happy ending... even the handsome, temperamental man calling the shots. But when sparks start to fly behind the scenes, Lucie must make the final call between the radio-sponsored happily ever after or the man in the headphones next to her.

My Book Review:

In First-Time Caller, author B.K. Borison weaves a lighthearted romantic tale of friendship, love and second chances.

Set in Baltimore, the reader is easily drawn into this entertaining rom com as they follow Lucie Stone and Aiden Valentine as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life, love, and second chances.

Lucie Stone is a single mom to twelve-year-old daughter Maya. She has a loving support system consisting of Grayson, her ex-BF/baby daddy and his husband Mateo, and BFF Patty. But the one thing Lucie doesn't have is a significant other. She a romantic who is waiting for the right guy to find her.

Aiden Valentine is the radio host of Baltimore's hottest romance hotline, Heartstrings. Aiden is struggling and has trouble believing in love and has lost hope in romance because of the radio callers' issues with love.

When Lucie catches Maya on the phone with Aiden, she can't believe that her daughter has called into the romance hotline and is asking for advice for her mom! What ensues is a long on-air call between Lucie and Aiden that goes viral, and the next thing she knows is that Heartstrings is going to help her with her love life! Follow along as Lucie and Aiden team up on-air to find her a romantic partner, but who knows, maybe the perfect romantic partner is right before their nose the whole time!

First-Time Caller is such a fun romantic comedy that easily keeps the reader engaged as they follow Lucie and Aiden's story. Set in Baltimore and told in alternating first person narrative by Lucie and Aiden, the reader follows along as their unexpected meeting helps both of them gain a sense of self-discovery, and a second chance at finding love and happiness in their lives.

There was a great mixture of emotion, drama, angst, humor, and crazy antics mixed in this story. The author does a great job of describing Lucie and Aiden's lives, when they begin hosting Heartstrings together. As Lucie's on-air dating experience is anything but romantic, Lucie and Aiden both realize that sparks fly between them. You can't help but cheer them on, and hope that they realize they're meant for each other.

This is a Sleepless In Seattle inspired love story, and it is exactly that. The author said that she wrote the story as a love letter to love ... the magic of love, and she sure did accomplish that!

First-Time Caller is a heartfelt story that has enough emotional depth, drama, romance, comedy, and witty banter, that makes it a delightfully entertaining romantic comedy tale that romance fans will certainly enjoy!

RATING: 5 STARS

About The Author

USA Today Bestselling author B.K. Borison is the author of cozy, contemporary romances featuring emotionally vulnerable characters and swoon-worthy settings. When she’s not daydreaming about fictional characters doing fictional things, she’s at home with her family, more than likely buying books she doesn’t have room for.

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Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Cop A Plea by Hilary Grossman (Book Review)

Book Review

Cop A Plea by Hilary Grossman

Book 2: I Can't Stop Loving You Series

Publisher: Independent Self-Publishing

Publication Date: July 19, 2022

Format: Paperback - 242 pages

Kindle - 702 KB

Audiobook - 7 Hours 5 Minutes

Nook - 560 KB

ISBN: 979-8820331183
ASIN (Audiobook): B0B6DPYBJJ

ASIN (Kindle): B09LTDSJFK
BNID: 2940160964416
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Buy The Book:

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Buy The Series: I Can't Stop Loving You Series

Book 1: Cop An Attitude

Book 2: Cop A Plea

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Book Description:

Could anything be worse than your husband forgetting you?

Yes. Of course…

He could remember you as the young girl who made his childhood unbearable.

After years of putting love on the back burner in exchange for career success, I let my guard down. I fell head over heels for the hot policeman who pulled me over late one night for speeding.

At the time, I didn’t realize we had a past. After all, he changed a lot since graduation…

Now, newly married and expecting our first child, our lives are perfect until Pete suffers a severe brain injury while chasing a robber.

When he finally regains consciousness, the last few years of his life are missing, including all recent memories of me!

As Pete mourns the death of his first wife for the second time and tries to come to terms with living with his high school nemesis, I keep wondering….

What happens if he never remembers me?

Will our love be strong enough to bring us together twice?

If you like engaging characters, second chance romance, and laughing out loud, then you’ll adore Cop A Plea!

Book Excerpt: https://a.co/csv4vrw

My Book Review:

In Cop A Plea, the second book of the I Can't Stop Loving You series, the reader is transported back to Pebble Cove, NY, for the continuation of Waverly and Pete's story.

In this installment of the series, the reader catches up with Waverly and Pete. After a year together, they got married six months ago, and have some great news to share, their having a baby! But in early Januray, Pete gets hurt at work, he was involved in stopping an armed robbery at a jewelry store. The suspect fled on foot and Pete pursued him and tripped and hit his head on the metal train tracks and is unconscious. Pete suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, and he is in a coma. The doctors don't know when Pete will wake up, and when he does Pete may not be the same, he may have permanent brain damage. When Pete does wake up, the last few years of his life are missing, including all recent memories of his life with Waverly! What ensues is an angsty time filled with stress and worry as Pete mourns his first wife Caroline again, and his only memory of Waverly is from their childhood issues. Waverly and Pete embark on a journey of finding their way back to each other, can they find their happiness again, especially with a baby on the way?

Cop A Plea is an angsty romantic comedy that explores the changes to the relationship between Waverly and Pete Ennis, after Pete's brain injury. This story will take the readers on an emotional roller coaster ride where they will experience the full gamut of emotions as they follow the traumtic events that change Waverly and Pete's marriage. You can't help but lose yourself in the drama as Waverly worries if Pete will remember her and their past, and follow Waverly and Pete as they work to find their way back to each other. This entertaining story is full of humor, drama and angsty moments that will the reader engaged as Waverly and Pete once again get another chance at finding love.

Cop A Plea is a wonderful story of family, friendships, love, and the ability to make it through anything that life throws at you along the way.

RATING: 5 STARS

About The Author

Hilary Grossman is a recovering corporate executive. She spends her mornings and weekends hanging out with her "characters." She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on the beach in Long Island.

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Cop An Attitude by Hilary Grossman (Book Review)

Book Review

Cop An Attitude by Hilary Grossman

Book 1: I Can't Stop Loving You Series

Publisher: Independent Self-Publishing

Publication Date: February 17, 2022

Format: Paperback - 222 pages

Kindle - 1133 KB

Audiobook - 6 Hours 26 Minutes

Nook - 560 KB

ISBN: 979-8798423002
ASIN (Audiobook): B09RNB75DL

ASIN (Kindle): B09LR6LWXL
BNID: 2940160936604
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Buy The Book:

Amazon

Audiobook

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

Buy The Series: I Can't Stop Loving You Series

Book 1: Cop An Attitude

Book 2: Cop A Plea

Amazon

Audiobook

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Book Description:

Their reunion left a lot to be desired. Are they a disaster in the making or totally meant to be?

I kicked love to the curb for the greater good. After all, my soaring career would’ve made my family so proud, and men have a tendency to stop success cold. But I never expected a single and sexy police officer to pull me over, flirt with me, and then write me a ticket.

Now I see the infuriating cop everywhere I go. It doesn’t help that we have a past, and he’s an amazing dad to his daughter. And every time I want to get back to my small-town routine, I can only think about what my life would be like with the no-nonsense policeman…

I should really just forget the whole thing. But if I do, will I lose my last chance at love?

Cop An Attitude is the charming first book in the I Can’t Stop Loving You romantic comedy series. If you like engaging characters, enemies to lovers, and laughing out loud, then you’ll adore Hilary Grossman’s humorous walk on the wild side.

Buy Cop An Attitude for an arresting affair today!

Book Excerpt: https://a.co/3cCbVc3

My Book Review:

In Cop An Attitude, the first book of the I Can't Stop Loving You series, the reader is transported to Pebble Cove, NY, for a humorous enemies to lovers romantic comedy that leave will you in stitches.

Waverly Ensworth is head of IT for Delectable Edibles, a specialty food distributor. Her job is her entire life, she's a workaholic and stress junkie.

Pete Ennis is a cop with the Pebble Cove Police Department. He is a widower with a four year old daughter, Clara. His wife Caroline died two years ago from breast cancer, and as he grieves for her, he tries to move forward and take care of their daughter.

After working late launching a new computer system, Waverly is stopped at 3am on a deserted road not far from home for doing 38 mph in a 3 mph zone, are you kidding me! Waverly is furious that Officer Pete Ennis is taking his sweet time with the prolonged traffic stop, she doesn't realize that Pete has recognized her from childhood, and is exacting a little revenge for the misery she caused him when they were kids. Waverly was a popular girl back then, and she was a mean girl who bullied the nerdy Pete unmercifully, making him a social outcast. What ensues is a hilarious unexpected enemies to lovers story that follows how Waverly and Pete get a second chance at love.

Cop An Attitude is a humorous romantic comedy that explores the enemies to lovers relationship between Waverly Ensworth and Pete Ennis. This was such a fun story, you can't help but lose yourself in the drama and hilarious antics that follow Waverly and Pete when they keep running into each other, and how they have to deal with their past when they both start to have unexpected feelings for each other. This entertaining story is full of humor, drama and angsty moments that will the reader engaged as Waverly and Pete figure out how to move from old enemies to friends with a second chance at finding love.

I can't wait to read Cop A Plea, the second book in the I Can't Stop Loving You series. In that book, Waverly and Pete's story continues with new developments in their relationship!

Cop An Attitude is a wonderful story of family, friendships, second chance at love, and the ability to make it through anything that life throws at you along the way.

RATING: 5 STARS

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Friday, July 16, 2021

The Queen Of Second Chances by D.M. Barr (VBT: Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Providence Book Promotions, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for The Queen Of Second Chances by author D.M. Barr!

Book Review

The Queen Of Second Chances by D.M. Barr

Publisher: Champagne Book Group

Publication Date: Paperback - May 30, 2021 / e-Book - June 7, 2021

Format: Paperback - 204 pages

Kindle - 1390 KB

Nook - 1 MB

ISBN: 978-1771554039
ASIN: B094GFWG3K
BNID: 2940165375545
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Buy The Book:

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Providence Book Promotions.

Book Description:

Carra’s memoir-writing class teaches seniors to resolve the regrets of their past. But to win over elder attorney Jay, will she follow her own advice?

Carraway (Carra) Quinn is a free-spirited English major confronting an unreceptive job market. Desperate for cash, she reluctantly agrees to her realtor stepmother’s marketing scheme: infiltrate a local senior center as a recreational aide, ingratiate herself with the members, and convince them to sell their homes.

Jay Prentiss is a straitlaced, overprotective elder attorney whose beloved but mentally fragile Nana attends that center.

More creative than mercenary, Carra convinces Jay to finance innovations to the Center’s antiquated programming. Her ingenuity injects new enthusiasm among the seniors, inspiring them to confront and reverse the regrets of their past. An unlikely romance develops.

But when Carra’s memoir-writing class prompts Jay’s Nana to skip town in search of a lost love, the two take off on a cross-country, soul-searching chase that will either deepen their relationship or tear them apart forever.

Reviews:

Charming, funny, and heartwarming, The Queen of Second Chances is not just a love story where two people discover each other, it is a story of self-discovery. Like all good romances, this one starts with the two main characters loathing each other before slowly realizing that they are perfect together. But before either Jay or Carra can come to that realization, they have to work through their personal shortcomings. Carra feels like a failure and is unable to get past her mother’s desertion of her as a child. Jay, while his helping people who desperately need rescuing demonstrates his fundamental goodness, puts a little too much emphasis on wealth and status. Helping a group of seniors find fulfillment is the catalyst that allows both the main characters to embrace changing their own lives and then ultimately embrace each other. A joy to read, The Queen of Second Chances is the perfect mood lifter in these stressful times. – S. Lee Manning, author of the critically acclaimed thriller, Trojan Horse - FIVE STARS!

The Queen of Second Chances by D.M. Barr is a beautifully written story of two lost souls brought together by fate. Carra was such a wonderful character, her warmth and kindness towards others were admirable. She also put others’ needs before her own safety and this was highlighted during the car scene outside the Garrison house. She was perfectly matched to Jay. Although he seemed to enjoy a materialistic lifestyle, I feel he had a really good heart and when he met Carra, he found the missing piece in his life. My absolute favorite character was Helen; she was extremely insightful and wise even though she was suffering from the onset of dementia. Her words of wisdom throughout were poignant and powerful, especially her views on looking back in life: “It’s more important to heed the present because that’s what it is, a gift. Nothing lasts long in this life, which is why every moment matters. You can’t take anything or anyone for granted.” I found the relationship between Jay and Carra developed gradually and the dialogue exchanges between them were very realistic. I loved the twist towards the end concerning Jay’s background and the nail-biting ending was brilliant. I feel there are so many underlying messages throughout too. For example, live for the moment, never be afraid to chase your dreams, and forgive yourself for mistakes you have made in your past. I highly recommend this novel. – Lesley Jones, for Readers’ Favorite - FIVE STARS!

The Queen of Second Chances by D.M. Barr is a lovely, deftly written romantic comedy that fans of the genre will love. – Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

Book Excerpt:

Chapter One

I couldn’t take my eyes off the man. He came barreling into the recreational center at SALAD—Seniors Awaiting Lunch and Dinner, Rock Canyon’s answer to Meals on Wheels—as I sat in the outer office, awaiting my job interview. He was tall, but not too tall. His expensive suit barely concealed an athletic physique that fell just shy of a slavish devotion to muscle mass. Early thirties, I estimated, and monied. Honey-blond curly hair, blue eyes, high cheekbones, chiseled features, gold-rimmed glasses, and of course, dimples. Why did there always have to be dimples? They were my kryptonite, rendering me powerless to resist.

I nicknamed him Adonis, Donny for short, lest anyone accuse me of being pretentious. He was the stuff of every girl’s dreams, especially if that girl was as masochistic as yours truly. Men like that didn’t fall for ordinary girls like me, gals more Cocoa Puff than Coco Chanel, more likely to run their pantyhose than strut the runway. I leaned back on the leather couch, laid down my half-completed application, and prepared to enjoy the view. Then he opened his mouth, and the attraction withered like a popped balloon.

“I want to speak to Judith. Now. Is she here?” The sharpness of his voice put Ginsu knives to shame. It was jagged enough to slash open memories of my mother’s own barely contained temper when refereeing sibling disputes between Nikki and me. Well, at least until she prematurely retired her whistle and skipped town for good.

The attendant working the main desk looked fresh out of nursing school and had obviously missed the lecture on dealing with difficult clients. She sputtered, held up both hands in surrender, and retreated into the administration office, reemerging with an older woman whose guff-be-gone demeanor softened as she got closer. Her name tag read, “Judith Ferester,” the woman scheduled to conduct my interview. She took one look at Donny, sighed as if to say, <i>Here we go again</i>, and plastered on her requisite customer service smile.

“Mr. Prentiss, to what do we owe the honor of this visit?” she asked in a tone sweet enough to make my teeth hurt.

“Judith, I thought we had this discussion before. I trust you to take care of my nana, but day after day, I discover goings-on that are utterly unacceptable. Maybe we shouldn’t have added the senior center, just limited SALAD to meal delivery. Last week you served chips and a roll at lunch? That’s too many carbs. This week, I find someone is duping her out of her pocket change. No one is going to take advantage of her good nature, not under my watch.”

I half-expected him to spit on the ground. Was such venom contagious? I didn’t want my prospective employer in a foul mood when she reviewed my application. I really, really needed this job.

“Mr. Prentiss,” Judith answered, her patronizing smile frozen in place, “I assure you that your championing of our senior center was well founded. The reason your nana isn’t complaining is that she receives the utmost care. She is one of our dearest visitors. Everyone loves her.”

“Tell me then, what is this?” Donny—scratch that, Mr. Prentiss—drew a scrap of paper from his pocket and flung it onto the counter. I leaned forward to make out the object of his disdain. Then, thinking better of it, I relaxed and watched as this melodrama played itself out.

Judith glanced down at the paper. “This? It’s a scoresheet. They play gin for ten cents a hand. We monitor everything that goes on here; your grandmother is not being conned out of her life savings. You have my word.”

Prentiss shook his head so vigorously his gold-rimmed glasses worked their way down to the tip of his perfect nose. He pushed them back with obvious annoyance. Even when he was acting like a jerk, his dimples were captivating. Would they be even more alluring if he smiled? Did he smile…like, ever?

“It’s not the amount that worries me. It’s the act itself. Many seniors here are memory impaired. How can you condone gambling between people who aren’t coherent? Could you please keep a closer eye on things? Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll have to take my nana—and my support—to the center I’ve heard about across the river.”

Without waiting for Judith’s response, Prentiss departed as brusquely as he’d arrived. Ah, the entitlement of the rich. Walk over everyone, then storm off. He never even noticed my presence. Just as well, considering my purpose for being there. Even if I wasn’t sorry to see the back end of his temper, his rear end was pleasant enough to watch as he exited, I noted with a guilty shudder.

Judith shook her head, rolled her eyes, and let out a huff. Then she noticed me. “I’m so sorry you had to overhear that. I’m the director here. How can I help you?”

“I’m Carraway Quinn. Everyone calls me Carra. I have an appointment for the recreational aide position.”

Judith typed a few keystrokes into the main desk’s computer. “Ah yes, Ms. Quinn. Carraway, like the seed?”

“Something like that,” I said with a smile.

They always guessed, but no one got it right. Some man would, one day. That’s what my mother said a million years ago, when she still lived within earshot. One man would figure it out, and that’s how I’d know he was the one for me. Not that it mattered right now. I had bigger problems than finding a new boyfriend.

“Tell me, would I have to deal with people like that all day?” I tilted my head in the direction of Prentiss’s contrail.

“What can I say? He loves his nana.” Judith shrugged, staring at the door. “Though I’ve never seen him lash out like that before. He’s usually so calm.” She quickly shifted into public relations mode. “Jay Prentiss is one of our biggest contributors. It’s only because of his generosity that we have this senior center and can afford to hire a recreational aide.” She beckoned me into the inner office. “Shall we proceed?”

I followed, but I had my doubts. I belonged in the editorial office of a magazine or on a book tour for my perennially unfinished novel, not at a senior center. This job was my stepmother’s idea, not mine. Calling it an idea was being generous; it was more like a scheme, and the elderly deserved better than someone sent here to deceive them. I was the embodiment of what Jay Prentiss worried about most.

The interview lasted less than ten minutes, as if Judith was going through the formalities but had already decided to hire me. I was to start my orientation the following day. I shook her hand and thanked her, all the while wishing I were anywhere else.

Afterward, I wandered into the recreation area, where I’d be spending most of my time. The room was dingy, teeming with doleful seniors watching television, playing cards, or staring off into space. A few complained among themselves about a jigsaw puzzle they were unable to finish because the last pieces were missing. I wondered how many had lost their spouses and came to the center out of loneliness, their children too busy with their own lives to visit. It was a heartbreaking thought.

Jay Prentiss was complaining about carbs and gambling when he should have been concentrating on ennui. The seniors’ dismal expressions told me they were visiting SALAD more out of desperation than opportunity. It was clear they needed an injection of enthusiasm, not some aide looking to unsettle their lives. It came down to my conscience. Could it triumph against my stepmother’s directives and my plummeting bank account?

---

My Book Review:

In The Queen Of Second Chances, author D.M. Barr weaves a lighthearted romantic tale of friendship, love and second chances.

Set in the Hudson Valley town of Rock Canyon, the reader is easily drawn into this entertaining story as they follow Carra Quinn and Jay Prentiss as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life and second chances.

Carra Quinn is a recent college graduate who wants to be a novelist. While trying to break into the literary profession, money is tight, and she is reluctantly pushed by her step-mother Bea to get her real estate agent license in order to help her score sales at the real estate agency she works at. Bea talks Carra into applying for a recreational aide position at a local senior center, and utilize her marketing scheme to talk the seniors into downsizing and list their homes with the real estate agency. But once Carra starts working at the senior center, she realizes that the senior center recreational program needs to be revitalized, and that some of the seniors really need help in their personal lives as well, and doing her step-mother's scheme is not what she is going to do, earning her the nickname "the queen of second chances" from the seniors.

Jay Prentiss is a successful elder care attorney who also has political aspirations. Jay's beloved Nana is a senior client at the local senior center, and he is very protective of her since she raised him after his parents died in a car accident when he was eight years old. Jay is one of the senior center's biggest contributors, but he's met his match when he meets Carra, and she shows him that the seniors need to be taken better care of at the senior center, and recruits him to help her make those changes.

Carra and Jay are both broken souls who have personal issues from their pasts that stymies them from having happiness in their lives, but can working together help them put their traumatic pasts behind them, and give them a second chance at finding love and happiness?

The Queen Of Second Chances is an enjoyable romantic comedy that easily keeps the reader engaged as they follow Carra and Jay's story. Told in the alternating first person narrative by Carra and third person narrative by Jay, the reader follows along as their unexpected meeting helps them not only help the lifestyles of the seniors at the senior center, but also helps both of them gain a sense of self-discovery, and a second chance at finding love and happiness in their lives.

There was a great mixture of emotion, drama, angst, humor, and crazy antics mixed in this story. The author does a great job of describing Carra and Jay's lives, especially with the flashbacks to their traumatic childhood memories throughout the story. You can't help but feel compassion for Carra and Jay as they face the ghosts from their pasts, and embrace the changes in their lives that helps them gain self-discovery, and find unexpected love along the way.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I enjoyed reading about the seniors and their hilarious scenes at the senior center. As a retired nursing home administrator, who also ran a senior center (adult day care), I couldn't help but reminisce over the fun time that I had with the senior clients. The senior characters and the description of the recreational program and overall administration of the senior center brought back a lot of memories that made me smile. You can't help but laugh at the crazy antics that Carra and the seniors engage in, and when you add in the the bond that grows between Carra and Jay, you have a lighthearted tale that is so much more special.

The Queen Of Second Chances is a heartfelt story that has enough emotional depth, drama, romance, comedy, and witty banter, that makes it a delightfully entertaining romantic comedy tale that romance fans will certainly enjoy!

RATING: 5 STARS

About The Author

By day, author D.M. Barr is a mild-mannered salesperson, wife, mother, rescuer of senior shelter dogs, competitive trivia player and author groupie, happily living just north of New York City. By night, an author of sex, suspense and satire.

My background includes stints in travel marketing, travel journalism, meeting planning, public relations and real estate. I was, for a long and happy time, an award-winning magazine writer and editor. Then kids happened. And I needed to actually make money. Now they’re off doing whatever it is they do (of which I have no idea since they won’t friend me on Facebook) and I can spend my spare time weaving tales of debauchery and whatever else tickles my fancy.

The main thing to remember about my work is that I am NOT one of my characters. For example, as a real estate broker, I’ve never played Bondage Bingo in one of my empty listings or offed anyone at my local diet clinic. And I haven’t run away from home in fear that my husband was planning to off me.

But that’s not to say that I haven’t wanted to…

Contest Giveaway

Win A $10 Amazon Gift Card

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for D.M. Barr. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card (U.S. ONLY). The giveaway runs July 1, 2021 through August 1, 2021. Void where prohibited.

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Virtual Book Tour

Queen Of Second Chances by D.M. Barr ~ VBT Event Page Link

Tour Participants:

07/01 Showcase @ The Bookwyrm

07/02 Guest post @ Curlygrannylovestoread

07/03 Interview @ A Blue Million Books

07/05 Guest post @ The Book Divas Reads

07/06 Review @ sunny island breezes

07/08 Review @ Wall-to-wall Books

07/08 Showcase @ Novels Alive

07/09 Review @ Quiet Fury Books

07/10 Interview/showcase @ Author Elena Taylors Blog

07/11 Review @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

07/12 Review @ I Read What You Write

07/15 Guest post @ CMash Reads

07/16 Interview @ B for bookreview

07/16 Review @ Jersey Girl Book Reviews

07/21 Review @ pages_and_pups

07/22 Showcase @ Celticladys Reviews

07/23 Review @ Avonna Loves Genres

07/26 Review @ Novels Alive

07/27 Review @ Hott Books

07/28 Review @ Cassidys Bookshelves

07/29 Review @ Margaret Yelton

07/30 Review @ nanasbookreviews

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Tic Tac Love by A.M. Willard (VBT: Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Foreword PR & Marketing, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Tic Tac Love by A.M. Willard!

Book Review

Tic Tac Love by A.M. Willard

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing

Publication Date: March 14, 2018

Cover Design: MadHat Books

Format: Paperback - 260 pages

Kindle - 1813 KB

Nook - 376 KB

ISBN: 978-1985092150
ASIN: B07BDK5HPV
BNID: 2940159140517
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Purchase Links:

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Foreword PR & Marketing.

Book Description:

For as long as I can remember, I've been in love with Paxton West. I've planned our wedding in my head a million times. What our babies would look like. How we would grow old together and still play our favorite game— Tic-Tac-Toe.

However, we have one problem.

Paxton doesn't believe in true love, soul mates, or happily ever after. Oh, did I also tell you he doesn't want kids? It also means I can't explain to him that he's the only guy for me, or about my—our—current situation.

The past started with a game of X's and O's.

Then came the miles and miles that kept us apart.

Next came tequila shots...

They're never a great idea. Now, more than ever, the future scares the crap out of me. If my plan backfires, I could not only lose my best friend but the love of my life.

Dang those tequila shots.

Book Teasers:

Book Excerpt:

Stepping out into the hallway, I head toward my door with my shoes and keys in my hand. All I can think of at this moment is stripping down out of these clothes and face-planting into my pillow where I can sleep the many drinks off. Right as I open the door, I hear the faint ding echoing down from the elevators. Shrugging it off, I enter my apartment and lock up behind me. I guess I find it odd that someone else would be wandering the halls this late or early. I’m never out at this time and have no idea what the neighbors do after I fall asleep. A new male neighbor moved in a few weeks ago. I already had the pleasure of bumping into him while trying to not spill my coffee one morning. I still deny that it was his looks that threw me off.

I drop my keys into the bowl next to the door before heading straight to my room where I lose my heels and strip out of my shirt and bra. Right as I unbuckle my jeans, I hear a faint knock, so low that I’m not sure if it’s my door or a bump against the wall from next door. Knock… knock… echoes again. I grab my shirt from the floor, slide it over my head, and go to investigate the sound that’s causing the hairs on my neck to stand. Rounding the kitchen island, my feet dig into the ceramic tile as the lock on my door twists. I’m frozen in place… Unable to move anything on my body as I hold my breath waiting to see what’s happening. It’s now that my mind races with all the horror movies I’ve screamed at over the years. The ones where the girl is either running up the stairs to hide from the intruder instead of outside to safety. Or where they just stand there as if a target is placed on their chest. Just pick one, because I’m that girl at this moment. My face is frozen, ice coursing through my veins. The hairs on the back of my neck are at full attention as if we are standing to pledge to the flag. My eyes stare straight ahead as the door opens in slow motion. Saying a little prayer, I close my eyes and wait for what’s going to happen next. Fear overtakes me, consuming my body, mind—everything.

“Belle, what are you doing?” I hear his voice, but then I’m afraid to open my eyes. Could it be possible that two people in this world have the same husky voice that makes me weak in the knees?

With my eyes still squeezed shut, my other senses go on high alert. The drop of a bag, the tap-taps of a set of shoes against the tile grow louder and louder as the person gets closer to me. “Belle, open your eyes and breathe before you pass out.”

Slowly, I do as he instructed. That’s the moment that I lean against the counter for support as I thank God that it wasn’t a killer that had a key to my place. Paxton’s face scrunches up as he reaches over for me.

“What were you doing?”

“I thought you were here to kill me; I was bracing myself for the worst.”

“What have I told you about watching those horror movies, huh? You let them get to you, and why would a killer use a key?”

“I don’t know; they could’ve made a copy when I wasn’t paying attention, or it could’ve been the security guard—who knows… What are you doing here?”

“Not the welcome I thought I’d receive, but my plans changed. You were more important to come see.”

I let Paxton’s statement set in before I smile up at him. Stepping closer, I wrap my arms around his neck and breathe him in. The faint hint of the stale airport, his earthy spice, and lemon soothes my nerves.

“Are you just getting home?” he inquires, and I notice his voice hints to a bit of jealousy. That confuses me as he’s never been the jealous type. One to worry about my well-being—yes, but not curious about where I’ve been or with whom.

“I am,” I answer as I pull away from him and step over to the fridge. Opening it up, I grab a bottle of water before glancing back over to Paxton. His hands are gripping the edge of the countertop, face blank not revealing any indication of what he’s thinking. “Want something to drink or eat?” is the only thing that I can think to ask.

“No, I’m good. I think I’m just going to head to bed.”

“Paxton,” I let his name slip from my mouth to stop him. He slows his stride over to his bags, turns to look at me and, before I can say anything else, wanders over to me.

“Belle, get some sleep, and we’ll chat in the morning,” is all he says before placing a kiss on top of my head. I stand here in the middle of my kitchen with a bottle of water in my hand, watching his back retreat from me to the spare bedroom. I’m not sure how long I stand here, confused and unable to move. It’s the sound of the shower turning on that breaks me from my thoughts. Causing me to realize that this isn’t a dream. Instead of sulking from the blow off that I just received from Paxton, I force myself to go to my room. Closing the door behind me, I pad over to my dresser, pulling out a pair of boxers and a top to change into. The sound of the water still running through the pipes on the other side of my bedroom causes my heart to beat faster. I can’t explain the way I feel right now. How I’m confused about what I should be feeling. I’m blaming the amount of alcohol that’s in my system. It’s not like he’s never showered here before. It’s more the fact that he blew off an assignment to come see me. That’s something Paxton’s never done. Work has always come first for him. No matter what, he’s never turned down a job; well, for as long as I known him. My head hits the pillow, but my eyes refuse to close. The wheel’s spinning a million times faster than it ever does. With the water off, the apartment is quiet, and I can hear his footsteps down the hall and how they stop outside my door before going to his. The door clicks shut, finalizing that there won’t be a conversation tonight. Unless I pull a trick out of the old handbook.

I roll over, grab my phone from the nightstand, and power it up for the first time since I shut it off in the elevator. It’s then that I notice the messages from Paxton. I listen to his voicemail and read through his text. I can’t scroll up to where I left the short, clipped response to him canceling this weekend.

Me: Are you okay? I know you’re tired, but something seems off.

I could crawl into bed and lie next to him, but taking the chicken way out of this is better tonight. I don’t trust my mouth, and I’m pretty sure that I’d slip up and say something that I’d regret tomorrow. I’m sobering up, but the way he made my heart restrict tonight from the pain that was washed over his face out of concern for me is causing me to expect the worse. Did he come here to tell me something’s wrong? Was that why he canceled his trip?

My Book Review:

If you are looking for a sassy friend to lovers romantic comedy to while away a cold winter afternoon, then look no further, Tic Tac Love by author A.M. Willard is just what you need!

In Tic Tac Love, author A.M. Willard weaves an enjoyable tale with a wonderful mixture of romance and comedy that follows the best friends to lovers (soulmate) story of Annabelle Quinn and Paxton West.

Belle and Pax have been best friends since the age of ten. From the beginning, their hearts always belonged to each other, especially as demonstrated by their favorite game of tic-tac-toe, where Pax is the x and Belle is the o. But as the years go by they kept their feelings for each other hidden from each other. Fast-forward sixteen years later, twenty-six-year-old Belle and Pax finally decide to express their long-held feelings. Belle and Pax's story is told in alternating first-person perspective and set in my favorite city - New York City. The reader can't help but get drawn into Belle and Pax's story and empathize with them as their unrequited love causes angst, drama, misunderstandings, and enough quirky trials and tribulations that will keep the reader giggling as they turn the pages.

I really enjoyed reading Tic Tac Love. It is a fun and relatable story, and you can't help but sympathize with Belle and Pax as they try to change their longtime relationship from best friends to lovers. Add in the mix a host of quirky characters (friends Brooke, Miranda, Jace, and Brodie) who try to help Belle and Pax realize that they really are soulmates, and you have a truly fun romantic comedy that will have you laughing out loud and leave a smile on your face!

RATING: 4 STARS

About the Author

Bestselling Author, A.M. Willard resides in Savannah, Georgia. She joined the Peach State many years ago after leaving the crystal blue waters and sugary white sand behind from the Panhandle of Florida. She's also known for being a wife, mother, and caretaker for her farm animals. A.M. loves anything sassy, glittery, and is a sucker for the Hallmark Channel. That last one might be the reason she believes in soulmates or it could be because she married her high school sweetheart for twenty years ago.

After releasing her first novella series back in 2014, A.M. set out on a new goal to bring her readers a broad range of romantic stories from her desk. This includes Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance, and from time to time some Sexy Romance. A.M. is an active member of RWA (Romance Writers of America).

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