The Floating Amsterdam Flower Shop - Annabel French (Avon - Aug 2025)

Series: The Floating Shop (Book 1)
 
One fresh start. One unexpected encounter. Can love bridge the gap?
 
When Rosie leaves behind her ordinary life in England to open a flower shop on Amsterdam's water, she expects nothing less than a fairytale.
 
Max, her handsome but brooding new neighbour, prefers to keep the world at arm's length - and living on the houseboat next door, he's not too thrilled about the new company.
 
As Rosie's business blossoms, so do her feelings for Max. But Rosie isn't sure she's ready for a relationship, and Max is still nursing a broken heart.
 
Then a rival in the flower market threatens her dreams, Rosie discovers that the most beautiful things can bloom when you learn to go with the flow - and allow someone to stand by your side.
 
Will Rosie and Max allow themselves to be swept away by love, or is their relationship doomed to sink before it can swim?
 
Sweet story of love, friendship, community, and new beginnings. Rosie inherited her late mother's love of plants and flowers. After several failed relationships and multiple boring, dead-end jobs, Rosie leaves it all behind in London to open a flower shop in Amsterdam.
 
Rosie is determinedly cheerful, impulsive, and a little bit naïve. She moves to Amsterdam with little more than some savings and a dream. She rents a houseboat to live in - one that's condition is not quite what was advertised. Her next-door neighbor is a gorgeous but grumpy artist with a perpetual scowl. And setting up a business in a foreign country where you don't speak the language is more complicated than she expected.
 
Very little gets Rosie down. She overcomes her shock at the condition of her houseboat, the Forget-Me-Knot (love the name!), and immediately sets out to make it habitable. Her initial exploration of the flower market nets her a friend who helps her navigate the process of setting up her business. It's not all hearts and rainbows, as Rosie faces several setbacks, from flooding in her houseboat to delivery mix-ups and a rival florist who causes trouble. Her positive attitude goes a long way toward overcoming these obstacles, thanks to the help of new friends. I especially enjoyed the parts with her rival, Finn. A devastating development with her houseboat nearly breaks her, but the blessings of friendship bring a heartwarming solution.
 
A relationship was the last thing Rosie was looking for, but it found her anyway. She's drawn to her neighbor Max, but his grumpiness initially discourages her. Early on, it seems that everything about her irritates him, but under the grumpy exterior is a man with a good heart. I liked seeing him step in to help on her houseboat and then introduce her to the city he loves. However, Max has his own emotional baggage that periodically gets in the way of his relationship with Rosie. Fortunately, these episodes don't last too long, and they continue to grow closer. I liked how it ended.
 
One of the book's best aspects was the author's vivid descriptions of the city, its culture, and its people. I visited Amsterdam several years ago, and this book brought back many pleasant memories.
 
The secondary characters were terrific. I loved how each brought out a different facet of Rosie's personality. I also liked Rosie's family dynamics. We get a glimpse of how her mother's death affected them all. I liked how Rosie encouraged her sister, Melody, to be a little bolder, and loved Rosie's weekly "dinners" with her dad. Each of Rosie's new friends highlighted another aspect of her personality. The epilogue was a terrific look at the results of her hard work and relationship-building. 

 

Lyon in the Way - Regina Jeffers (Dragonblade - June 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 83)
 
One man wants her dead. Another may love her forever.
 
For over a year, Lord Richard Orson has been quietly captivated by the unconventional Lady Emma Donoghue. Headstrong, brilliant, and unapologetically involved in causes that rattle Society's comfort, Emma is nothing like the debutantes he's expected to court.
 
But when he finds her bruised, confused, and alone in Covent Garden after midnight, Richard is thrust into a far more dangerous game.
 
Someone wants Emma silenced. And now, Richard has only moments to uncover the truth, protect her from harm, and keep her out of scandal's reach. But staying focused is harder than he imagined—especially when every glance, every accidental touch, reminds him how perfectly she fits in his arms.
 
As danger closes in and secrets are revealed, Richard must decide whether he's willing to risk his life—and his heart—for a woman who's always been worth the fight.
 
A good mix of slow-burn romance and suspense. This is the first of a five-book miniseries within the larger Lyon's Den collection, and a good introduction to the characters. Richard is one of five adopted "sons" of Lord Duncan. They were taken in as children to protect them from unscrupulous relatives. Lord Duncan is also an operative for the British government and trained them also to work for the Crown. This training proves particularly useful during the book.
 
Lady Emma is the daughter of a career diplomat who has spent the past decade out of the country, leaving Emma at home to be cared for by servants. She is intelligent, stubborn, and has strong opinions that she acts on with enthusiasm. Most recently, she joined others blocking the entrance to White's, calling out its members for their various sins. For more than a year, she has caught Richard's attention. Though he shakes his head at her antics, she fascinates him.
 
Matters become complicated when Richard finds Emma badly beaten and confused in Covent Garden. His protective instincts kick in, and he takes her to Duncan's home for care and protection. Emma doesn't remember anything about what happened to her. Richard and his brothers join forces to investigate what happened to her. The twists and turns of the investigation kept me guessing to the end. The nail-biting final confrontation kept me glued to the pages until it was over.
 
I liked Richard's care and understanding as Emma slowly recovered from the attack. The time they spend together allows them to get to know each other. Richard falls hard for her and struggles to maintain focus when she is near. Emma's feelings for Richard grow, but she hesitates to give in while her memories remain elusive. I enjoyed their interactions and seeing how they balance each other. The ending had a cute twist that suited their relationship.
 
There is a secondary mystery that runs through the book. A mysterious assailant shot Lord Duncan at the beginning of the story. The brothers are determined to bring the shooter to justice, but clues are hard to find. The epilogue provides a hint of what is to come in future books. 

 

Lyon in the Wild - Diana Lloyd (Dragonblade - May 2025)

Series: Lyon's Den (Book 82)
 
Her past and his future aligned to meet in the middle at the Lyon's Den.
 
Crispin Morgan storms into the notorious Lyon's Den gambling hell with a single goal: save his sister from her abusive husband, by any means necessary. Desperate, he strikes a risky deal with the infamous matchmaker, Mrs. Dove-Lyon. His end of the bargain? Marry her most impossible bride. The last thing he expects is a fierce, clever woman who hides a knife in her wedding gown.
 
Nenokaasi "Birdy" Carmody has crossed an ocean to change her future, and maybe the world's. Half Irish, half Ojibwe, Birdy is no stranger to straddling two identities. When she meets Crispin, hope collides with desperation in a marriage of necessity that slowly transforms into something far more dangerous: trust.
 
As peril follows them from London to the wilds of Canada, Crispin must learn to thrive in Birdy's world just as she bravely stepped into his. But when duty calls them back to the shadows of London society, only the fiercest love, and a Lyon's heart, can help them survive what comes next.
 
This was one of the more unusual entries in the Lyon's Den series. Mrs. Dove-Lyon has a minimal role, and the setting shifts to another country at one point. It had an intense start, with Crispin rescuing his sister from her abusive husband, who took their son and left her to die after giving birth. Crispin takes her to the Lyon's Den, promising Mrs. Dove-Lyon that he'll marry her toughest case if she'll save and protect his sister.
 
That "toughest case" is Birdy Carmody, a half-Irish, half-Ojibwe woman who is visiting England with her merchant father. They seek a noble husband for her who can help protect their lands from aggressive companies. If that means marrying an Englishman, that's what she'll do.
 
I enjoyed watching Crispin and Birdy's relationship develop. Birdy is slow to trust Crispin, reserving judgment until she knows him better. Birdy's independence confuses Crispin, as she is unlike any other woman he has known. However, neither can deny the attraction that grows between them. They need to rely on each other as they search for their nephew and encounter unexpected danger along the way.
 
That danger sends them out of England to Birdy's home in Canada. Crispin is very much out of his depth in the wilderness, but determined to learn and adapt. The scenes set in Canada were interesting and showed good character growth in Crispin. I liked seeing the changes in him and his confidence when they returned to England. The tension ramps up as they discover the changes that occurred while they were gone. The attacks escalate as they get closer to finding his sister and her son, with a final nail-biter of a confrontation.
 
Through it all, Birdy and Crispin grow closer. It takes time, but they finally lower their walls to let the other person in. Admitting their feelings doesn't come easily, but fear of losing each other opens their eyes. The ending was emotional, with an epilogue that gave a look into their future.
 
The secondary characters fleshed out the story in ways that helped show the main characters' growth. Crispin's two best friends play vital roles in the book, with an interesting twist involving one of them at the end. Crispin's father starts as unlikable, but redeems himself in the end. My favorite was Luke, the teenage son of the coachman. I loved his enthusiasm and adaptability.
 
Overall, it was a good book, though I did feel that it dragged in a few places. 

The Maverick's Dating Deal - Christine Rimmer (HQN - Aug 2025)

Series: Montana Mavericks: Behind Closed Doors (Book 1)
 
THE ULTIMATE FAKE DATE
 
Tenacity's favorite flirty cowboy has an image problem, and Graham Callahan thinks Cassie Trent is the perfect person to improve his reputation. Cassie doesn't want to be his phony plus-one, until she realizes this could finally get her matchmaking mom off her back. The scenario seems foolproof…until one unexpected, mind-blowing kiss in public knocks their boots off. The "lovers" have done their job a little too well, and now they have to deal with the fallout!
 
Fun book. Cassie lives at home, working her family ranch and caring for her goats. She gave up on finding love after ending her third relationship. She blames herself for leading the men on, then chickening out when things get serious. But nothing she says deters her mother from trying to marry her off.
 
Graham also swore off relationships after being left at the altar when his fiancée ran off with his best friend. He's upfront with the women he dates, letting them know that nothing serious will happen. However, now that he is running for mayor, he needs to improve his image so that people will take him seriously.
 
After a chance meeting at the local watering hole, where he and Cassie hit it off, Graham decides that Cassie could be the perfect solution to his problem. He proposes that she act as his girlfriend and campaign manager until the election is over. Cassie is reluctant to agree until she realizes that dating Graham might get her mom off her back.
 
I enjoyed watching Graham and Cassie's relationship develop. They connect quickly, discovering they have a great deal in common. There were fun scenes of Graham showing up at her ranch and helping with projects. Cassie's belief in Graham's suitability for the mayor's office showed in her actions. Neither counted on the sparks of attraction that flared between them and kept getting stronger. Though agreeing to add "benefits" to their dating deception, each maintains that they can keep their emotions out of it. Hah! But once they realize the truth of their feelings, can they overcome their fears enough to trust them?
 
I loved the ending. I especially enjoyed the little twist at the end that brought Graham and Cassie back together. 

 

Daring to Fall for the Prince - Heba Helmy (HH #1862 - June 2025)

Series: Princes of Egypt (Book 1)
 
To Prince Saleem,
With Love
 
When Elise agrees to pose as her friend Lady Olive in a few letters with a faraway prince, she never dreams she'll actually meet the man. Yet when they travel from England to Egypt, and Olive runs away, Elise finds herself alone with Prince Saleem and fighting a forbidden attraction!
 
It might be a tactical match, but Saleem's all but betrothed to her best friend, and fiercely independent Elise is wary of his royal world. As they team up to solve a dangerous mystery, dare Elise reveal she's the one who wrote the letters and surrender to this impossible desire?
 
Enjoyable story in the unusual setting of late Victorian Egypt. Elise is a Greek-English woman who is best friends with Lady Olive. Olive has been promised in marriage to Prince Saleem of Egypt, something she is not excited about. Uninterested in even exchanging letters with her intended, she palms the chore off on her friend, Elise. Over the next few months, a deep connection forms between them, though Saleem believes the letters are from Olive.
 
I liked Saleem. He is the heir to the throne, even though he has an older half-brother, Adnan, who is illegitimate. Saleem is a good man, well-liked by everyone he meets. He has a vision for Egypt's future. However, he has trouble overcoming his irresponsible reputation from his younger years, putting him at odds with his father. Meanwhile, Adnan is more serious and has a closer relationship with their father. I liked that there is no tension between the two brothers, just an understanding of who each is. I enjoyed Adnan's efforts to help Saleem.
 
Matters become complicated when Olive runs off before they reach their destination, leaving Elise to attempt to explain her absence. I thought Saleem took the news very well, and Adnan stepped up to track down Olive. In the meantime, Saleem and Elise spend a lot of time together. Saleem is confused by the connection he feels for Elise, not knowing that she is the letter-writer. There are some great scenes of them together as Saleem shows her around his city. It doesn't take long for Saleem to realize that there's no way he can marry Olive when his heart belongs to Elise. Saleem also must overcome Elise's belief that there is no future for them. She is wary of involvement because of a bad experience and plans to live an independent life. But Olive's reappearance puts Saleem at odds with his father again, and it doesn't look good for the future he wants. The ending is confusing, with no explanation of how Saleem pulls off his triumph of love.
 
There is also a secondary storyline involving Elise's inheritance. The background of the gold bars was intriguing. I enjoyed how Saleem and Elise worked together to discover the truth. There was some danger involved that kept the tension up, and an unexpected revelation that changed Elise's life.
 
I look forward to the next book, which is probably Olive and Adnan's story. Hopefully, we will get an explanation of Olive's actions, because in this book, she came across as spoiled and thoughtless.
 
I enjoyed the Egyptian setting of this book. The author's descriptions of the food and scenery added depth to the story. I loved seeing Elise's wholehearted enjoyment of the new experiences. 

 
 

Swamp Shadows - Carla Cassidy (HI #2289 - June 2025)

Series: Marsh Mystery (Book 2)
 
In the mists of the bayou,
a killer waits for her
 
Heather LaCrae awakens handcuffed to her hospital bed, stunned to find herself on the hook for murder. With no memory of the crime, she must rely on local attorney Nick Monroe. Defending Heather becomes a life-and-death battle when a shooter targets the bayou beauty. As the attacks escalate, not even Heather's home nestled deep in the swamp is safe. Now time is running out to find a cold-blooded killer who aims to make sure Heather never remembers…
 
Good book that started with a bang and kept me turning the pages to the end. Swamp resident and local shop owner Heather woke up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there. She is handcuffed to the bed, under arrest for murder. Local attorney Nick, well-known for helping swamp residents with legal matters, agrees to take her case. The evidence against her is overwhelming, but the deeper they dig, the more suspicious they become. Matters become complicated when an attempt is made on Heather's life.
 
The progress of the investigation kept me glued to the pages as it became evident that someone set Heather up. That same someone is determined that she never gets a chance to remember what happened that night. The attacks escalate, intensifying as they race to uncover the truth before it's too late. Flashes of returning memory aid in their search, but also expose them to additional danger. The final confrontation was a nail-biter.
 
I enjoyed Nick and Heather's developing relationship. The sparks of attraction were there from the start, but Nick fought against them. Past experience left emotional scars that prevented him from believing love was for him. I loved his protectiveness and how their forced proximity forged a strong connection between them. Nick is reluctant to accept that her feelings are anything more than gratitude and pushes her away. It takes a kick in the seat from a friend to make Nick realize the truth. I liked how Heather saw his vulnerability and helped him see the depth of their love.
 
I liked the swamp setting and seeing the life Heather built there. The people around her look out for each other and play a significant role in the story. The swamp also has its secrets, as people go missing. The book ends with a lead-in to the next story, which will hopefully resolve the mystery.

 

If You Can't Stand the Heat... - Mona Shroff (HSE #3096 - June 2025)

Series: Once Upon a Wedding (Book 6)
 
When a cooking competition turns personal
A pair of chefs will feel the burn…
 
What's the recipe for success? For single mom Karina Mistry, it's the head-chef position she's chased for years. But her boss has one more hoop for her to jump through. The new head chef will be chosen…via a reality cooking-show competition! Four weeks, eight meals, two competitors and everything on the line. Losing this job would be crushing. But losing to Chef Aneel Rawal, the man from her past she's never forgiven? That's not an option. It's time for Karina to sharpen her knives, turn up the heat…and watch the tension simmer!
 
Terrific not-quite-enemies-to-lovers story. The competition angle intrigued me. Karina is the sous-chef at a restaurant, in line to move up to the executive chef position. Then she discovers that her boss decided to turn the interview into a reality show competition. Her rival is Aneel, a fellow chef she faced in another competition years earlier with disastrous results.
 
I liked Karina and Aneel. Karina is a single mom who wants the promotion to make a better life for herself and her son, Veer. She is intense, talented, and determined. She's not happy about competing with Aneel as she blames him for her loss in the earlier competition. I loved her close relationships with her family and their influence on her life. Aneel wants to advance to the executive chef position from his current role. He's more laid back when it comes to his work, but the intensity is still there.
 
The tension is tight between Karina and Aneel when the competition begins. Karina still holds a grudge against him, while he resents her accusations. But when they put the past aside, they work amazingly well together. There were sparks of attraction during their first competition that they ignored in the aftermath. Those sparks flare up again as they spend time together. Karina initially fights those sparks, not wanting to let go of the past. However, when Karina needs help, Aneel steps up to support her. I loved watching their teamwork.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Their interactions during the competition are fun, a little snarky, yet supportive and realistic. I especially enjoyed watching them get closer as Aneel helped Karina with her catering efforts. Each has baggage from the past that they must deal with before they can move forward, including a surprise revelation that I never saw coming. I loved the ending and how the competition worked out.
 
I love the author's depictions of the characters' close family relationships. The love and support are always there, along with a willingness to provide a kick in the pants when needed. I enjoy the glimpses of Indian culture, and especially enjoyed Karina and Aneel's efforts to replicate her mother's chai recipe. The inclusion of couples from previous books added extra enjoyment to the stories. There are some heart-melting scenes with Aneel and Karina's son, Veer. 

 
 
 
 

Hunted Through Italy - Delaney Diamond (HRS #2330 - June 2025)

She knew no one could hurt her…
With him by her side.
 
After overhearing two men planning an embassy bombing, interpreter Zaire Nichols contacts the American authorities in Rome. And that's how she ends up being accused of murder. CIA black ops agent Atticus "Buck" Swanson is her escort back to the United States. When well-trained assassins try to silence her forever, Zaire and Buck set off on a race across Italy, trying to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers. They have to survive if they're going to prevent a deadly terrorist attack -- and have a chance to explore the attraction they feel for each other…
 
Fast-paced, gripping story of an interpreter, Zaire, who overhears a bombing plot and tries to do the right thing by reporting it to the American embassy. Instead, she is detained and accused of murdering her roommate. CIA agent Buck flies to Rome to escort her back to the States, expecting a quick trip to the airport and an easy flight home. What he gets is a woman with a target on her back and a race to escape those who want to stop her.
 
The growing urgency to uncover the truth while running for their lives kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Relentless pursuit, close calls, and intense confrontations kept me on edge throughout the book, wondering when they would catch a break. Buck's suspicions made sense, and I loved his ability to find a solution. The nail-biter twist at the end was an outstanding conclusion to the mission.
 
I enjoyed the development of Zaire and Buck's relationship. Zaire was terrific. Introverted, but not shy, intelligent, and able to adapt to circumstances, and with a penchant to spout trivia when she's nervous. Buck is unflappable and skilled at his job. Sparks flare between them from the start. Buck resists because a past relationship has led him to believe that certain aspects of his past make it impossible for someone to love him. The rare moments of downtime allow them to get to know each other, and the attraction builds from there. I liked how Zaire wasn't afraid to go after what she wanted. I ached for them both when Buck pushed her away, believing that their connection was only because of what they'd been through. I loved the ending and seeing Buck see the truth. I loved the epilogue and seeing how they took the time to be sure of their feelings. 

Montana Justice - Josie Jade (Calamitte Jane Pub - July 2025)

Series: Resting Warrior Ranch (Book 11)
 
She ran to save her life.
Now the man she once betrayed is her only hope.
 
Home to both the Resting Warrior Ranch and Pawsitive Connections, Garnet Bend, Montana is a small town full of big heroes. Anyone would want to live there.
 
Anybody but Piper Matthews.
 
She swore she'd never come back after what her father did to the town and what she did to Sheriff Lachlan Calloway. But desperation has a way of rewriting promises. With a baby in her arms and nowhere left to run, Piper returns to the only place that ever felt like home.
 
Lachlan never expected to see Piper again—especially not with a child that has his eyes. The woman who once disappeared without a word is now sleeping under his roof, guarding more secrets than she's willing to share.
 
She says she's done running. But Piper's past is closing in fast—and it's darker, more dangerous, and more tangled up in Lachlan's world than he could ever imagine.
 
In a town built on quiet loyalty and buried lies, the truth is about to break everything wide open.
 
Wow. Another Resting Warrior Ranch book that I couldn't put down once I started reading it. The suspense was intense and Piper and Lachlan's relationship was a rollercoaster of emotions.
 
Piper and her family lived in Garnet Bend for several years until they were run out of town. Her father was a conman and grifter, but law enforcement could never make anything stick. Several years later, Piper escaped her father's control and abuse, passing through Garnet Bend during her quest to avoid him. She encounters Lachlan and feels safe. Sparks flare between them, leading to a magical night together. But fear of her past sent Piper running the next day, taking money and a coat, sneaking out with no word. Lachlan buries his feelings of hurt and betrayal, but can't forget her.
 
A year later, settled into his job as sheriff, Lachlan responds to a shoplifting call, shocked to find Piper at the center of it. But this is a different Piper - terrified, way too thin, and with a baby that looks like him. Though wary, he takes them home with him, determined to get her healthy and protect his son. I enjoyed seeing his tender care of her and watching him take to fatherhood. It isn't long before they feel like a real family. However, Lachlan senses that Piper has secrets that she is unwilling to share, no matter how close they become.
 
I ached for Piper, caught between a rock and a hard place. She has her growing love for Lachlan and the knowledge that her secrets will destroy any good feelings he has for her. Caught in her father's web, Piper has no choice but to bend to his will. The hold he has over her was not what I expected, and Piper's terror is entirely understandable. When the secret comes out, Lachlan's fury knows no bounds, and the results are everything Piper expected. But beneath Lachlan's fury are feelings of hurt and betrayal and the unwilling realization that he still cares for her. Neither knows if they can get past this latest problem and find their way back to each other.
 
Complicating their lives, Lachlan must deal with increasing drug and weapon trafficking in his town. Together with the men of the Resting Warrior Ranch, Lachlan struggles to catch those responsible. Their frustration is palpable when the criminals consistently evade their attempts to stop them. The shocking discovery of how and why hits too close to home for Lachlan's peace of mind, but doesn't dim his determination to put an end to the death and destruction. I loved the teamwork that brought it to a successful end, but not without a terrifying final confrontation.
 
I loved how everything came together at the end. Piper's strength and resilience, along with Lachlan's ultimate understanding of her life, opened the door to their future together. The double epilogue answered some of the hanging questions and hinted at what is in store for the next book.
 
The easy integration of members from the Resting Warrior Ranch and Warrior Security felt natural, thanks to the incredible teamwork they are well known for. There is never any doubt about their support for each other, no matter what the circumstances. I also loved the "family dinner" and Piper's exposure to what a chosen family means. 

Nurse's Nine-Month Surprise - Carol Marinelli (HMED #1465 - June 2025)

ONE NIGHT TO UNEXPECTED MIRACLE
 
When nurse Sorcha saves a stranger with the help of ER doc Richard, she doesn't expect her own world to be upended as well. Because dropping her guard with Richard leads to an unforgettable encounter -- with life-changing consequences! And the last place Sorcha expected to reveal her pregnancy was the hospital…when it's announced she'll be working with Richard. But when he's wrestling with a painful past, can love-weary Sorcha trust that Richard will be there not just for their baby, but her too?
 
A good book that quickly caught my attention. Scottish nurse Sorcha is in London for two reasons - to apply for a job at one of its hospitals and to get to know her birth mother. When her time with her mother implodes, she decides to return home. Her trip is interrupted when her train is cancelled, and she encounters a man with a medical emergency. Richard, an ER doctor, joins her in her efforts. After the crisis, they share dinner and an unexpected night of intimacy. Sorcha flees the next morning when she discovers Richard is married. A couple of months later, Sorcha accepts the job she applied for and learns she will be working with Richard. Their reunion is awkward, with Sorcha understandably hurt and angered by his actions.
 
I ached for Richard, who is in a heartbreaking situation. I liked how he cleared the air with Sorcha about that night and where he stands, but it doesn't solve their problem. Matters become more complicated when they discover that Sorcha is pregnant. Now they must figure out how to coparent their baby while fighting their chemistry and growing feelings for each other.
 
I enjoyed watching Richard and Sorcha work through the obstacles that kept them apart. It isn't easy, and each must face their own troubled pasts before they have a chance for a life together. Their support for each other eased their way, and I loved seeing them navigate their way through the obstacles. The ending was very well done and realistic.