The Valentine Box - Toni Blake (Oliver Heber Books - Jan 2025)

Series: Box Books (Book 3)
 
It started with a box for collecting heart wishes…
 
Among the constants in Taylor Mulvaney's life are the heart-shaped box made by her father, the mysterious hearts she sometimes sees, and her longtime crush on Luke Montgomery. The Valentine box has a way of connecting her and Luke time and again - and even after Luke breaks her heart before leaving their hometown of Sweetwater, Kentucky for good, she never gets completely over him.
 
The box brings them back together when they least expect it.
 
Fifteen years later, Taylor still sees hearts. And now she even makes them, baking heart-shaped treats at the Sweetheart Bake Shop. After a rough start in life, she's found her way. Until, that is, Luke comes home for his father's funeral, bringing a deluge of old feelings flooding back. Before she knows it, a note dropped in her still-beloved Valentine box has Taylor swept up in helping him save his family's horse farm - and trying not to fall back in love with the guy who once left her shattered.
 
How will it end?
 
Could Luke really want Taylor the way she's always wanted him? Can she trust in the future to turn out better than the past? The Valentine box is still working its magic to draw them together all these years later, but can Taylor set her fears aside long enough to believe in a second chance at love?
 
Sweet second chance romance. It starts with Taylor as the new kid in school; her red hair, slight speech impediment, and shyness make her a target for bullies. Her classmate, Luke, gives her quiet encouragement, including a sweet Valentine every year.
 
I loved the flashbacks to their school years, always around Valentine's Day, with the heart-shaped box Taylor's dad made for her a central theme. It's no surprise that Taylor develops a crush on Luke. However, she has no idea that he feels the same way. A missed communication and Luke's sudden departure during their senior year left both heartbroken.
 
Fifteen years later, Taylor now owns the Sweetheart Bakery, where she makes a living selling heart-shaped goodies. Luke returns home to help settle his father's estate, and the two cautiously rekindle their friendship. I loved how quickly they reconnected and how easily they could talk. The more time they spend together, the more their feelings for each other grow. But Taylor is rooted in Sweetwater, and Luke will eventually return to his home and businesses in Utah. Taylor's friends encourage her to "just have fun," but she wants more.
 
Communication is once again at the heart of Luke and Taylor's problems. I loved seeing her stand up for her wants and needs, but she stopped short of full disclosure. Luke's reaction mirrors his earlier history until friends set him straight. I loved their reactions to his obliviousness and laughed at his "aha" moment. He still has to make things right. Luke's big moment at the end was sweet, but it almost didn't happen because he didn't learn from the past. The epilogue was terrific.
 
I loved the small-town setting. The characters were realistic, from the former high school bully to the friends who made their lives in their hometown. I especially enjoyed the storyline of the big factory that wants to relocate to their town. The townspeople's reactions were realistic, as was Luke's desire to do what was right for the town and his family. The solution was creative, and I loved how it came about. 

 
 

Guarding His Witness - Lisa Childs (HRS #2029 - Feb 2019)

Series: Bachelor Bodyguards (Book 9)
 
Protecting a murder witness…
 
Former vice cop Clint Quarters is haunted by the memory of an informant he couldn't save. And the victim's devastated sister, Rosie Mendez, hasn't forgiven him, either. But when the bodyguard must protect murder witness Rosie, the danger they face is only rivaled by the red-hot electricity between them. Can Clint keep Rosie safe, or will her testimony lead to certain death -- for them both?
 
Rosie witnessed the murder of her brother, Javier, an informant against a local drug kingpin. Luther may be in jail awaiting trial, but he still pulls strings. He wants Rosie and the other people involved in his arrest dead. Clint is a former vice cop working as a bodyguard for Payne Protection. When the police chief hires the agency to protect those in danger, Clint draws Rosie as his protectee. The trouble is that Clint was Javier's contact, and Rosie holds him responsible for his death.
 
Clint also blames himself. He promised Javier he would protect Rosie and nothing will stop him from keeping that promise, not even Rosie herself. Rosie irritated the heck out of me. First, with her stubborn insistence, she wasn't in any danger, even though she knew better. Then, the actions that exposed her to that danger, from insisting on going to the hospital where she works as a nurse to sneaking out on her own. The icing on the cake was when she attempted to make a deal with Luther, actually believing he would keep his word.
 
The suspense was intense as Clint tried to keep Rosie safe. Despite using safe houses, the bad guys were either right on their heels or a step ahead of them. I could feel the frustration as it became more difficult to know who they could trust. Their last confrontation in the book proves that point and leads to a desperate decision. A final scene with Luther shows his frustration and serves as a lead-in to the next book.
 
The development of Clint and Rosie's relationship was volatile. Rosie's insistence on blaming Clint helped her ignore the attraction she felt whenever she was near him. However, their proximity made it difficult for her to maintain her anger as she was forced to admit that Javier's death was not Clint's fault. Clint has had feelings for Rosie since he met her but believes it is hopeless because of Javier's death. But the more time they spend together, the stronger the sparks between them become. I liked the ending and seeing them finally admit their feelings for each other. 

Her Mission with a SEAL - Cindy Dees (HRS #1981 - Feb 2018)

Series: Code: Warrior SEALs (Book 3)
 
Their mission: deliver a ruthless spy to justice
But can they outlast a storm as dangerous as their target?
 
Tracking an elusive Russian operative, CIA agent Nissa Beck has no choice but to ask for help as a hurricane descends on New Orleans. She turns to alpha Navy SEAL Cole Perriman. Used to conquering impossible odds, now he must protect beautiful Nissa. But as unstoppable storms and passions rage, there's more at stake for them than survival.
 
Terrific book that dropped me into the middle of intense action and didn't let up until the end. Nissa is a CIA analyst working with a SEAL team to locate and capture an elusive Russian operative. She is not a trained field agent and spends much of the book scared spitless, but she does what needs to be done.
 
Cole is the SEAL team leader, code name Frosty for his ability to bury his emotions and get the job done. He's been a SEAL for many years and is a few months from retirement. Unfortunately, Nissa proves to be an unexpected distraction to his determination to capture Petrov.
 
The book opens with Nissa and the team attempting to board a ship that Petrov is reportedly escaping on in the middle of a hurricane. But when they get aboard, they discover the ship is deserted and about to capsize in the storm seas. They barely managed to escape and had to beat the hurricane back to land if they wanted to survive. I was glued to the pages as they struggled to find shelter and then wait out the storm.
 
The intense suspense of the story continued as Nissa, Cole, and the rest of the team continued their search for Petrov. Nissa's brilliant detective work brings them closer to their goal and puts a target on her back. The danger intensifies when Nissa uses herself to bait a trap, and an unexpected twist puts them all at risk. The final puzzle piece led to a confrontation that had me glued to the pages until it was done. Cole and the team were great, but Nissa was amazing.
 
I enjoyed watching Cole and Nissa's relationship develop. The sparks between them are immediate and explosive, which freaks out Cole. He's never had this kind of reaction to a woman, and he doesn't know how to deal with it. Colw is especially worried because he feels it is a distraction that he can't afford if he is going to keep Nissa safe. He also has trouble believing anyone could love him knowing what he's done. Nissa's reaction to his insecurities and vulnerability was fantastic, and I loved seeing the effect on Cole. Cole's big moment at the end was lovely. 

 
 

Their Accidental Honeymoon - Mona Shroff (HSE #3029 - Jan 2024)

Series: Once Upon a Wedding (Book 5)
 
There may be no strings attached
So why are his feelings in knots?
 
Spending his tropical honeymoon with his lifelong best friend, Rani Mistry, was the balm Param Sheth needed after being jilted on his wedding day. Until an unexpected kiss unleashes emotions long held in check! Param and Rani agree it was a mistake, never to be discussed again. But when Rani declares their (fake) elopement so Param's younger brother can be married, they can't ignore their very real -- and very buried -- feelings much longer. And as Rani's pretend husband, Param wonders whether it's finally time to make this fantasy come true…
 
Param and Rani have been best friends since they were ten years old. When Param was left at the altar on his wedding day (No Rings Attached), he took Rani on his honeymoon trip. She gave him the time he needed to process without bugging him about moving on. Everything was as usual with them except for the night they had a little too much to drink, leading to a much more than friendly kiss. Freaked out by the feelings stirred up and not wanting to risk their friendship, Param and Rani agreed to pretend it never happened.
 
Not long after they return home, Param's brother has a medical emergency that needs expensive treatment. There is a trust fund that will be released when all the brothers are married - and Param is the last single brother. Rani suggests they fake a relationship and marry long enough to get the funds. Surely, as best friends, they can pull off such a deception.
 
I enjoyed watching Param and Rani's relationship develop. Neither one has been able to forget "that kiss" and are confused by their sudden physical awareness of each other. Both fight the attraction that grows stronger every time they are together. Having to put on the "we're in love" act for their families just makes it more challenging. I laughed at their reactions when everyone around them said it was about time they realized their feelings for each other. Sometimes, I wanted to shake both of them for being so blind and especially Rani for being so stubborn. I loved the ending and seeing both let go of their fears and embrace the truth of their feelings.
 
I enjoyed spending time with the two families. The teasing and support and long history of their relationships kept me intrigued from start to finish. The glimpses of customs, foods, and traditions added to my enjoyment of the story.   

 
 

Wyoming Christmas Conspiracy - Juno Rushdan (HI #2260 - Jan 2025)

Series: Cowboy State Lawmen: Duty and Honor (Book 4)
 
For as long as he could remember,
She was his North Star
 
With adjacent ranches, Monty Powell and Amber Reyes were always together. First as childhood friends and later as…more. Much more. But a family legacy and a bigger secret kept them apart. Until a killer strikes and casts suspicions on Monty. Revenge or reckoning, someone is out for blood. Monty and Amber now set out to find evidence to expose a deeper criminal plot before gunfire erupts again and threatens the new family of three they are about to become.
 
This was a fast-paced, action-packed story with intense suspense and a second-chance romance. Growing up on neighboring ranches, Monty and Amber's childhood friendship grew into more when they got older. While Amber was in love with Monty, he was more interested in following his own path. Family interference and a big secret drove them apart until Amber's father's death when manipulation from beyond the grave brings them together again.
 
The book opens with a bang as Amber stumbles onto a murder scene where Monty is the prime suspect. She may have trust issues with him, but Amber knows he isn't capable of murder. It is soon evident that someone has it in for Monty and the entire Powell family. The twists and escalating attacks kept me glued to the pages as the intensity built. The final confrontation was a heart-pounding nail-biter with Amber in extreme danger.
 
I loved watching Monty and Amber navigate through their relationship. Because of their past, Amber is reluctant to trust him with her heart again. This puts her late father's demands on shaky ground, risking both ranch properties. She also has a big secret she is keeping from him that will change their future. Monty freely admits his past mistakes and insists he's learned his lesson. He wants a chance to make things right. I liked that they took the time to discuss the past and hopes for the future, ensuring they were on the same page.
 
I liked seeing characters from earlier books and catching up with their lives. I'm looking forward to more stories about the Powells and their connections.

Better Than Friends - Jill Shalvis (HarperCollins - Jan 2025)

Series: Sunrise Cove (Book 7)
 
When Olive Porter's off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.
 
As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah's used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he'd love nothing more than a good distraction.
 
So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can't fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?
 
Terrific second chance romance brought about by forced proximity. Olive and Noah knew each other in high school. His sister, Katie, is Olive's best friend. Olive moved in with her grandparents when she tired of her parents' free-spirited lifestyle. Katie and  Noah lived next door, and their family became like a second family to Olive. A devastating accident sent Olive fleeing from Sunrise Cove, leaving a "Dear John" letter for Noah.
 
Years later, Olive returned to Sunrise Cove to help Katie when her husband, Joe, and Noah were injured on the job. Joe is in a coma, and Noah is on medical leave while he recovers. Noah has been staying with Katie and her son Joey to help. He is unaware of Olive's imminent arrival.
 
I enjoyed the development of Noah and Olive's relationship. It gets off to an awkward start as Olive still feels guilty about the accident that happened their senior year. We get glimpses of their past together as they work through those memories. The sparks of attraction are obvious to everyone around them, but they initially resist giving in to them. Olive's guilty feelings hold her back despite realizing her love for him never died. Noah never blamed her for the accident and was brokenhearted when she left so suddenly.
 
I loved their conversations, usually full of teasing and snarky comments. There were also serious moments where the past was brought into the light and dealt with. One of my favorite things about Noah was his support as she dealt with her worry about her parents. I also loved his pride in her strength and accomplishments. Noah does sometimes have trouble with foot-in-mouth disease when trying to express his thoughts and feelings and spends a fair amount of time doing damage control. I loved when he finally saw the light and opened up to Olive. The scene was sweet and emotional with an epilogue that was the icing on the cake.
 
One of the great things about a Jill Shalvis book is her talent for creating believable families. I loved Katie, with her snark and lack of a filter. Her love for her family and friends is undeniable, even though her comments can be cringe-worthy. Her commentary on Noah and Olive's relationship woes is hilarious. Her son, Joey, is an apple that didn't fall far from the tree, especially when it came to Olive and Noah. The dynamics of Olive's parents went a long way to explaining why Olive has the issues she has. Their inconsiderate actions irritated me, though there was a hint of redemption at the end.
 
Lighthearted moments were courtesy of Katie's ancient bassett hound, Holmes, and the stray kitten, Pepper, he'd adopted. These two were adorable and nearly stole every scene they were in.

Find Her - Katherine Garbera (HRS #2313 - Feb 2025)

Series: Price Security (Book 4)
 
A DEA agent has one goal in mind…
And getting personal could be deadly
 
Lee Oscar has convinced herself she can keep her past in the past until an old friend tells her that a student of his has disappeared. Lee launches a search for the missing teen, colliding with DEA agent Aaron Quentin's investigation. Together they forge an impromptu partnership -- and make a fake relationship their cover. Lee and Aaron are determined to rescue the girl in danger while bringing down a deadly crime syndicate. Posing as lovers without succumbing to the ruse may be the more difficult task.
 
Terrific book. Aaron Quentin intrigued me during his part in the earlier book, Safe in Her Bodyguard's Arms. I figured out early that he was one of the good guys and hoped he would get his own story. As with his brother, the tragedy in Aaron's past influenced his present. He uses his work as an undercover agent to keep people at a distance. He moved from Florida to California to infiltrate a drug cartel.
 
Lee is Price Security's computer and information guru. She works her magic from behind a computer in their offices. But when a friend from her past asks her for help finding a missing teen, Lee steps out of her comfort zone to search for her. The last thing she expected was to encounter Aaron and end up part of his cover as his girlfriend.
 
This book had me hooked from the get-go. The suspense is intense with the dual storylines of Aaron's mission of taking down the cartel leader and Lee's search for the missing teen. Matters become more complicated when an old adversary of Lee's turns up in Aaron's net. An unexpected twist leads to a possible link between the two cases and intensifying danger for both. The double-barreled ending was a nail-biter to the finish.
 
I enjoyed the development of Aaron and Lee's relationship. There were sparks between them when they met in Miami. Aaron tried flirting with her, but she wasn't interested. When they met again in LA, the sparks were still there, but both tried to ignore them. That becomes more complicated when Lee gets sucked into Aaron's op and must pretend to be his girlfriend. Spending time together intensifies the attraction and allows them to get to know each other.  I loved how in tune Aaron was with Lee and how good he was at sensing when she needed him. I liked seeing them both lose some of their "lone wolf" attitudes and discover they could support each other without losing independence. It didn't take long for their fake relationship to start to feel real. Neither believes they are good at relationships, and I loved seeing their determination to find one that works for them.