Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex

About the Book:

Title: Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex
Series: Hallmark Beach Small Town Romance #4
Author:Kristin Canary
Publisher: Dreaming of You
Release Date: October 26th, 2026
Genre: Closed Door Romantic Comedy

When old chapters get rewritten, sometimes love deserves a second draft…

I thought I’d left my past—and my pro hockey player ex, Ethan Fox—behind years ago.

These days, I’m a single mom raising my eight-year-old daughter in Hallmark Beach while secretly writing bestselling romance novels under a pen name. Unfortunately, my latest book is due soon, and my inspiration has apparently packed its bags and left town.

Then Ethan shows up.

He’s only supposed to be staying with his uncle for one week, but when I learn he’s struggling to write his memoir, I make the questionable decision to offer my help. Suddenly I’m spending way too much time with the man who broke my heart nine years ago—and discovering the Ethan Fox I remember might not be the same man standing in front of me now.

Which would be a whole lot easier to deal with if his goofy smile and annoyingly charming personality didn’t keep reminding me exactly why I fell for him in the first place.

But there’s one tiny complication.

The eight-year-old daughter I’m raising? She’s his.

And Ethan has absolutely no idea.

Once the truth comes out, Ethan is determined to make up for lost time. Which means I’m seeing a whole new side of him—one that involves father-daughter dates, bedtime stories, and far too many moments that make me wonder if the hockey star I once loved might actually be someone I can trust with my heart again.

There’s just one problem.

His time in Hallmark Beach is almost up.

Soon Ethan will return to New York, and I’ll have to decide whether some love stories are better left in the past…or whether ours deserves a whole new ending.

Book Review:

This ended up being so cute! The story sounded interesting so I was excited to read it. Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex is the fourth book in Kristin Canary’s Hallmark Beach Small Town Romances series. Ethan, April and Scarlett were all so fun! I loved their interactions and the easy banter. This story drew me in and I didn’t want to put it down!

Ethan and April had dated previously but their relationship had ended quite abruptly. They found themselves brought back together. I love how Scarlett kind of forced them together in her own way. She didn’t know that Ethan was her dad but she found herself drawn to him. They had the cutest relationship.

It was interesting to get to know Ethan and see just how he viewed life and himself. Ethan had to learn what was important to him. Hockey had been his whole life and he was faced with a new reality after finding out about Scarlett. April just wanted to prove herself. She had worked hard to show that she was capable as a mother. April had to learn to let others in and see that her identity was not found in what others thought of her.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters drew me in and I loved coming back to this small town. I am so excited for the next book to come. April and Ethan felt like they could be my friends and Scarlett was just a bundle of joy. I love the themes of found family and family. April’s family was honestly the best. I would totally recommend this book! It had the perfect blend of romance, humour, and plot. Beachside Kisses with my Famous Ex is a closed door romantic comedy.

What I loved:

Scarlett and her honesty

Banter between Ethan and April

The family themes

Found family

Small town vibes

Friends

She’s an author

He’s a hockey player

I received a complimentary copy

Love Beyond the Diamond

About the Book:

Love Beyond the Diamond: A Sweet Sports RomCom (Waves Baseball Book 2)

Title: Love Beyond the Diamond
Series: Waves Baseball #2
Author: Laura Langa
Release Date: October 9th, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Grumpy right fielder. Sunshine artist. Fake vows. Real feelings.

Getting kidnapped while out with friends wasn’t the curveball I expected. Turns out, the tattooed mountain of a man who hauled me away on his motorcycle was actually rescuing me.

Shane Seaver has the league convinced he’s the grumpy right fielder with a permanent scowl. Unfortunately for him, I’m a hyperrealist painter—so I notice what everyone else misses, like his quiet kindness and dry humor.

Between three part-time jobs and a pricey new diagnosis, my art career is stuck on the bench. Even my sparkling optimism and knack for turning mishaps into adventures can’t save me. Then I discover the penthouse I clean belongs to Shane—and he has a wild-card proposal.

Playing happy wife through Waves media events and his brother’s disastrous wedding is a small price for health insurance and the chance to create again. So I set out to give Shane the childhood he missed—with arcade games, beach days, and a cabin getaway with one very inconvenient bed.

Now my biggest challenge isn’t painting the perfect masterpiece—it’s remembering our fake marriage has an expiration date.

Book Review:

This was adorable! I loved reading Willow and Shane’s story and flew through it.

Willow was a sweetheart! I loved her joy and optimism, even as she struggled with all the changes in her life. Willow chose how she would respond to her circumstance and over and over she chose hope and joy. It was so sweet to see her bring that into Shane’s life and her active work to show everyone the kind man he was to her!

Shane was her opposite in a lot of ways! But he was just as thoughtful and kind, even though it was under a more gruff exterior. He just wanted to play baseball and keep his head down, but what he needed was someone to bring life and wonder into his life. I loved seeing him open up with Willow and how they supported one another. 

Willow and Shane were so sweet together! There was a genuine care and desire to help the other person. It took them a bit to find their footing, but it was so lovely to read about them connecting. I love the Waves baseball team! Their group chat was hilarious and I loved seeing the cameos from different characters. The story was an easy with no 3rd act break-up and lovely characters. It has only kisses, a character with diabetes, and a difficult family situation.

I received an ARC.

Flag Day in the Square

About the Book:

Flag Day in the Square: - a Holidays in Hillview novel -

Title: Flag Day in the Square
Series: Holidays in Hillview #2
Author: Erynn Mangum
Release Date: October 10th, 2025
Genre: Christian Rom-Com

Dani McGrady is finally back in her hometown of Hillview and wants nothing more than to make the festivals at the town square just as magical now as they were when she was growing up there. But the giant hailstorm that hits the same week she gets back seems to have ruined all chance of that. Or has it?

After getting hired as the Hillview event planner for all the town square festivals, Dani is determined to make everything perfect for the town she loves. But on the exact same week she gets hired, a massive hailstorm takes out not only most of the windows and roofs in the town, but also the beloved gazebo in the square. Suddenly, Flag Day in the Square goes from being an easy, low-key beginning of her Hillview career to a headache the size of one of the hailstones. Everything seems to be harder than it should be, especially once her sisters find out about the attractive city planner she is working with and the cute contractor who can’t seem to ever show up on time.

Dani is a fixer at heart and the last thing she wants to do is quit. But with everything mounting at once and nothing going as planned, what does the Lord even want from her? Does He need her help to get things taken care of? Or is Dani trying to fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed after all?

With the help of her close-knit, crazy family, her faith in Jesus and lots of coffee from Tiny’s coffeeshop, Dani is about to find out there are some things you just can’t plan.

Flag Day in the Square is a sweet, clean romance that keeps Jesus first always.

Book Review:

I love these books! They always make me smile, and it’s a non stressful read that keeps me turning the page.

Poor Dani is really struggling with where she is in life. She’s spent so much of her life chasing a career, and she’s realizing that’s not where she wants to be. As she moves back to her hometown, it was fun to see her rediscover her passion ago. She had to learn to let go and trust the Lord even when she wanted to control things. I really felt for Dani, and her struggles were so relatable and realistic. I wanted her to succeed, and her setbacks made sense for her character.

As always I love the family dynamic in this one! The sisters feel like real sisters to me, and the family dinner conversations remind me of my own family. I love how the banter feels real, and Ben is a great addition to the group. It’s fun to see more and more of Sam’s story too, and I can’t wait to see how it all wraps up.

I would totally recommend this sweet romance! It’s clean, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Christian fiction.

The Christmas Dash

About the Book:

The Christmas Dash: A Small Town Holiday Romance

Title: The Christmas Dash
Author: Leah Dobrinska
Release Date: October 23rd, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance

A shimmering Christmas romance about first loves and second chances, perfect for fans of RaeAnne Thayne and Melissa Ferguson.

Question: what do you do when your ex-best friend (and almost-boyfriend) who chose a music career over you five years ago is back in your shared hometown for the holiday season? Oh, and his mother tasked him with helping you put on a Christmas scavenger hunt meant to encourage locals to stop and smell the pine needles?

Answer: Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la Friend Zone.

It’s the only way. Because here’s the thing: Gabe McKenzie and I aren’t meant to be. I crave stability and somewhere I truly belong, and his life takes him on the road to new cities every weekend. That’s the definition of volatile.

But the more time we spend together—dodging snowflakes and petting reindeer, roasting marshmallows and singing carols—the more I wonder if the home I’ve been longing for isn’t just a place to put down roots.

What if home is a person? And what if Gabe was always meant to be mine?

Book Review:

This was a fun, sweet contemporary romance. The Christmas Dash is written by Leah Dobrinska and is a standalone Christmas romance. Gabe and Beth had history but they had to learn to move forward.

Okay, so I had a harder time with Beth. She felt a bit stuck in her ways at times but I grew to understand her. She was scared to let Gabe in because of her past. As she spent time with Gabe, she really considered what she wanted in her life. Beth was working so hard to find her place but I love how she learned to slow down as she spent time with Gabe. Beth was a strong independent woman but she had to learn to let others in.

Gabe was sweet and genuinely just wanted to care for those he loved. He had made some decisions in the past that led him to be away from Beth. He had never stopped loving Beth though and was trying to figure out how to win. Gabe had to figure out if he would fight for Beth.

I loved the easy relationship that Gabe and Beth had. They had history so they understood each other. However because of their shared history, they had some obstacles to overcome. It was fun to read about them falling in love as they worked together on the Christmas scavenger event. The town was unique and had some quirks which made it endearing. The storyline was interesting and the side characters really added to the book. I would recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary romances. The Christmas Dash is a clean contemporary romance.

Book Highlights:

Christmas themes

Second chance romance

Found family

Working together

She owns a bookstore

Small town vibes

Community Highlights

I received a complimentary copy

Falling Back to You

About the Book:

Falling Back to You: A Sweet Second Chance Hockey Rom-com (The Reluctant Romantics Book 3)

Title: Falling Back to You
Series: The Reluctant Romantics: #3
Author: Morgan Taylor Giesbrecth
Release Date: August 25th, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance

I came home looking for redemption, not a second chance with the man my heart never forgot…

Noelle:
Running away a month before my wedding was the hardest choice I ever made. But crawling back thirteen years later with my life in shambles might be worse.

I’m jobless and homeless with a laundry list of apologies to make. But as an eldest daughter, my motto is “I’m fine.” Only it’s not fine, and I’m tired of pretending.

I have a place to live, thanks to my conniving little sister, but my landlord is NOT supposed to be my ex-fiancé, hockey captain, Cal Satterfield. He’s not supposed to be my new boss either. But his daughter needs a nanny, and I’ve always been a sucker for those blue eyes.

I have plenty of bridges to mend, and Cal wants to break down the walls between us. Like a second chance is possible.

If only I were brave enough to believe it.

Cal:

Thirteen years, two months, and seventeen days.

That’s how long I’ve waited for the girl who got away. And finally, Noelle Shepherd is back.

Logically, I shouldn’t find her this enchanting. And I definitely shouldn’t hire her as my daughter’s nanny. However, logic has never been my strong suit.

It might be the worst decision I’ve ever made, or the second chance I’ve always prayed for. Because despite the history between us, Noelle is still the one I want to come home to.

I’ll do everything I can to prove to her I’ve changed. This time, I’m playing for keeps.

Falling Back to You is a hockey rom-com featuring a second chance between a single dad and the nanny, plenty of heartfelt healing, everyday faith, swoony banter, and laugh aloud small town shenanigans—all without the spice.

Book Review:

Oh, this was just so good! I knew that I was going to love Cal’s story and it did not disappoint me. The perfect blend of redemption, forgiveness, and second chances. Falling Back to You is the third book in Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht’s The Reluctant Romantics series. 

Cal was just trying to take care of his daughter. He was trying to be the best father that he could be but he was also longing for a partner. Noelle was just trying to find her place and make amends for past mistakes. She was at the end of herself and just trying to find her home. 

I loved both Cal and Noelle! They had both been through so much and were honestly just trying to trust God in their rollercoaster of a life. I really felt for both of them. Cal had to learn to trust God and figure out if he was willing to let Noelle back into this life. He had never stopped loving her but he was scared of getting hurt. Noelle had to learn to let go of the past and see that forgiveness and redemption were possible. I loved seeing the growth of both of these characters as they wrestled with their feelings and hopes. 

The romance was sweet. It was a bit of slow burn, a bit of instant love. They had been in love before but time had gotten away from them so they had to get to know each other again. I loved the way that they tried to support each other even as they worked through their feelings. 

I loved the side characters!! Khia was a sweetheart. She had Cal wrapped around her finger and I love reading about her interactions with Noelle. The whole Satterfield family is amazing and I loved the family themes. It was also fun to see some of the old characters too! I am so excited for the next books to come. This was a wonderful book and I would totally recommend it! Falling Back to You is a closed door contemporary romance with inspirational themes. 

What I loved

Cal and his relationship with his daughter

The Satterfield family 

Mr. Pickles, the cat

The text messages

Redemption 

Disability representation 

The small town vibes

I received a complimentary copy 

You Fall First

About the Book:

You Fall First: A Sweet Romantic Comedy: Harvest Hollow Love Stories

Title:You Fall First
Series: Part of the Harvest Hollow Love Stories #4
Author: Julie Christianson
Release Date: October 8th, 2026
Genre: Rom-Com

Forever wasn’t part of their agreement…

Josephine Michaels has a big problem.

Several problems, TBH.

  1. She’s unemployed and stuck living with her parents. Again.
  2. Her ex is coming to her sister’s wedding. With his new fiancée.
  3. The super-hot PT she’s crushing on is not only too busy to date, he’s also friends with her protective older brother.

Noah Stadler has his own problem: His lengthy PT job description now includes being a full-time, single father-figure to a preschooler.

Enter Jo.

She agrees to be Noah’s live-in help until his sister arrives to take care of her son and make a fresh start. In the meantime, Noah pretends to be Jo’s boyfriend for the wedding.

At first, their temporary arrangement seems perfect: Co-parenting and fake dating with no strings attached and a guaranteed expiration date.

Nothing could go wrong, right?

Until both their hearts start making plans that break all the rules…

***

You Fall First is an interconnected standalone in the Harvest Hollow Love Stories series. In this closed-door romance, you’ll find all the sweetness and sizzle of a romcom but only kisses on the page.

Tropes:

  • Single Father Figure
  • Friend’s little sister/Older Brother’s Friend
  • Fake Dating
  • Forced Proximity
  • Found Family
  • Age Gap (7 years)

Book Review:

This was adorable! I loved returning to Harvest Hollow and reading Jo and Noah’s story.

I felt for Jo! She was in a transition phase, trying to find out what she wanted in life. Her struggle was very relatable and it was easy to get pulled into her POV. Jo was such a sweetheart and I loved seeing her connect with Dutton. Jo wanted to find her own place and be seen as her own person, apart from her family. She loved them and was so grateful for them, but she also was ready for her own story.

I adored Noah! He was so thoughtful and caring with his sister and nephew. Noah just wanted to support them. He wanted the best for Dutton and when he needed someone to watch him, Jo was there for him. Noah was used to taking care of things on his own and it took him a bit to figure out how to best support those around him and let them help him as well. I loved seeing his relationship with his sister too!

Jo and Noah were adorable together! I loved seeing them support one another and all the little ways they looked out for the other person. I loved Dutton and how all his adorable quirks! He felt like a real little kid and it was so sweet to see the three of them together. It was also really sweet to see Jo’s family again! They were in previous books and I loved how they were there for each other. They were not perfect, but truly cared about one another.   

It was so fun to return to Harvest Hollow! This is a standalone in the series, but it features characters from previous books. I loved the small town setting too. This is a sweet romcom with only kisses. It features the past death of loved ones.

I received an ARC.

Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop

About the Book:

Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop: A Contemporary Cozy Fantasy Retelling of Cinderella (The Enchanted Bookshop Fairy Tales)

Title: Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop
Series: The Enchanted Bookshop Tales #1
Author: Brittany Fichter
Release Date: October 1st, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Cozy Fantasy

“Ella,” Margaret interrupted with an amused smile. “Are you suggesting that I gave you a magical book?” Then she took a sip of tea.

Ella is the small town of Buchkarte’s renowned horse whisperer. (Pronounced Book-Heart. Say it right, or the locals will never let you live it down.) Sole daughter of late national equine champions, Ella obviously inherited her parents’ skills and passion. And as she runs the town’s only horse boarding ranch, you would think business would be booming.

Sadly, you would be wrong. Stuck under the thumb of the ranch’s new owner – who also happens to be Ella’s stepmother – it’s all Ella can do to keep the place running while ensuring her beloved horses’ care. And as the cold days of autumn approach yet again, Ella begins to wonder how much longer she can hold on.

But just as she doubts whether she’ll ever find peace or companionship again, thanks to her stepmother’s threats, the local town busybody (and the Enchanted Endings Bookshop’s proprietor, Margaret) lends Ella a book – a book with a familiar story that’s incomplete. But as autumn matures, Ella starts to sense that this mysterious book might have more to do with her life than she first thought, as new possibilities appear before her.

Possibilities that include freedom, independence, and maybe even Margaret’s godson, Asher.

And for the first time since her parents’ deaths, Ella begins to wonder if a happy ending might be within her reach yet. If only she can find a way to write that ending as her own.

Delve into a cozy world of pumpkin-spiced autumn vibes, soft, sweet magic, clean, no-spice romance, and Cinderella’s story made new. Ella and the Enchanted Bookshop is the first in the Enchanted Bookshop Fairy Tales – clean, cozy contemporary fantasy retellings of four beloved fairy tales with gentle magic, safe, clean romance, and seasonal sensations.

Book Review:

I loved this book! I was so excited for this book when I read the description because it sounded so cute! Ella and the Enchanted Bookshelf is the first book in Brittany Fichter’s new series, The Enchanted Bookshop Fairytales. I love fairytale retellings and this one turned out so good!

Poor Ella, she had been through a lot and felt stuck. She didn’t want to be under her stepmother’s thumb but she didn’t know how she could leave the horses her parents had cared for. I loved her relationship with the town, especially those who were friends with Ella’s family. It was sweet to see them try to help her. Ella had to learn to stand up for herself and figure out what exactly she wanted in life. I loved her growth throughout the book and how Margaret helped push her along. Ella was scared but she learned to be brave. Asher was so sweet to Ella and I love the way that he tried to care for her. 

The romance was definitely more insta love ish but it was so cute! This was a single POV so we only got to see Ella’s side but it was still so fun to read. I liked the progression of the story and how it stayed true to the Cinderella story and yet was its own book. I loved everything about this and I would totally recommend it! The characters and story were so engaging. Ella and the Enchanted Bookshelf is a clean cozy contemporary romance with hints of magic. 

What I loved:

Found Family 

He takes care of her

Learning to stand up for yourself

The animals

Margaret!

Asher was so sweet 

Asher and Ella were so cute together

I received a complimentary copy

Scoring Mrs. Right

About the Book:

Title: Scoring Mrs. Right
Series: London Regents FC #2
Author: Marion De Re
Release Date: October 16th, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy

I’m not the kind of woman who ends up in a fake marriage.
I’m the kind who plans everything, avoids risks, and definitely doesn’t marry her son’s favourite professional footballer after knowing him for a few months.
And yet… here we are.
When my ex suddenly comes back into the picture and tries to get full custody of my son, Finn O’Leary offers me a solution as outrageous as it is tempting: marry him.
On paper, it’s perfectly logical. Finn has a stable home, financial security, and is always there for Sam—everything I need to fight my ex’s claims that I can’t provide the stability my son deserves. In reality, pretending to be married to the charming footballer my son already adores is becoming dangerously easy.
Because Finn cares about Sam like he’s his own.
Because he stands up for me like I’m his.
And because our “practice” kisses feel anything but.
This was supposed to be a temporary arrangement—a marriage designed to help me protect my son. But the more we pretend to be a family, the harder it becomes to remember which parts aren’t real.

Scoring Mrs. Right is a closed door sports romcom featuring a golden-retriever footballer, a guarded single mum, and one fake engagement that gets a little too real.
Perfect for readers who love banter, accidental families, and kisses that definitely don’t feel like practice.

It’s part of the London Regents FC series, where tension is high on and off the pitch—and love is always part of the game. All the books are interconnected standalones and can be read in any order.

What to expect:
-Marriage of convenience
-Sport Romance
-He Falls First
-Single Mom
-Closed door/kisses only

Book Review:

Ah, Finn finally got his book and it was so cute! I adored Finn from the other books and I was so excited to read his story. Scoring Mrs. Right is the third book in Marion De Re’s London Regents FC series. 

Finn was such a sweetheart. He was a big hearted guy who really cared for those in his corner. I love how although he enjoyed soccer, he really just wanted a family. He was so sweet with Sam, they connected so quickly. He fell hard and fast for Everly. Everly was trying her best to care for Sam without crumbling under the weight of everything. She truly cared for Sam but she was also struggling. I loved her strength and the way that she always fought for Sam. I also love how she saw Finn and wanted to support him too. 

Everly and Finn had some obstacles to face but they worked through it together. They became friends before they even considered marriage. I love how Sam drew them together. Their relationship was sweet and a bit quick as they got married to help Everly, however they came to truly care for each other. The story was interesting and it was fun to see the guy’s group chat. 

I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to those who enjoy sports romances. The characters were lovely and I was cheering them on. Scoring Mrs. Right is a closed door romantic comedy.

What I loved:

Finn hanging out with Sam 

Finn falling hard for Everly

The football team 

Found family 

Marriage of convenience 

They support each other 

I received a complimentary copy

Harvest Ball

About the Book:

Harvest Ball (Timeless Georgian Collection Book 4)

Title: Harvest Ball
Series: Timeless Georgian Collection #4
Author: Rebecca Connolly, Dana LeCheminant, Karen Thornell
Publisher: Mirror Press
Release Date: September 22nd, 2026
Genre: Historial Romance

When hearts collide at the Harvest Ball . . .

One Harvest Night by Rebecca Connolly
Caro Brooks stirs up gossip wherever she goes. Not intentionally, it is simply the effect of not being engaged to her childhood friend when everyone thought she would be. Three years ago, Silas Darby had left without a word to her, and the entire village has questions. Caro has spent all that time missing him and blaming herself for never telling him how she truly felt. One cannot get engaged to a childhood friend if love and matrimony are never spoken between them, no matter what the gossip says. Then, on the night of the harvest ball, Silas reappears, and he has one thing on his mind: claiming Caro for his own once and for all. But will the years of distance and heartache be too great an obstacle? Or will the unspoken feelings between them bridge this gap and give them both the future they dreamed of?

Against All Arrangements by Dana LeCheminant
Sir James Hartwell has never shied away from duty, but when his mother announces she has found him the perfect wife, he would much rather avoid the arrangement for as long as possible. Hannah Faircott is doing the very same thing. After meeting by chance while both hiding from matchmaking mothers, their paths continue to cross, and what begins as simple curiosity quickly turns into genuine affection. But when James and Hannah discover they are both being matched by their mothers, a troubling possibility emerges—they may be intended for each other after all. And neither wishes to know the truth, because if their feelings are real, they want them freely chosen, not shaped by duty or obligation.

Recalling Lord Ellison by Karen Thornell
When Grace Whitmore returns to Kent after an accident leaves her with gaps in her memory, Benedict Ellison is forcibly reminded of the engagement he unknowingly ruined. Once, his parents arranged and dissolved the match without his consent; now they insist he make amends, claiming fate has offered him a second chance to win the bride he never sought. But as Benedict spends time with the gentle, sharp-witted woman he was meant to marry, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he cannot ignore. Caught between duty, deception, and a heart he never expected to stir, Benedict must decide whether rewriting the past is worth risking his future.

Book Review:

One Harvest Night by Rebecca Connolly

What a sweet story! I really liked Caro! She felt very genuine and I loved how she cared for her sisters. Caro was determined to continue moving forward despite Silas’s exit from her life. I admired her composure and emotional intelligence. Silas was so earnest! I felt for him, he had made some impulsive and emotional decisions and was now trying to work it out. I appreciated how they communicated and the maturity both of them had. 

The story was quick, but I sill felt like I could jump in and relate to the characters. I also found the side characters quite sweet! Both Caro and Silas’s siblings were a lot of fun. This was a sweet historical romance with friends to more and second chance vibes. 

Against All Arrangements by Dana LeCheminant

This was so fun! I really felt for both James and Hannah. They both just wanted the freedom to choose. Their chance meeting offered the opportunity to connect and truly get to know each other. James and Hannah were so sweet together and I loved the antics as they avoided their mothers. Both of their mothers truly cared for them, but were just a bit overbearing. 

I also enjoyed Everrett and Lousia! They both had their own stories and I would love to see more of them in the future! This was a quick-moving story full of fun.

Recalling Lord Ellison by Karen Thornell

The amnesia trope is not a common one for me, but I really enjoyed this one! I really liked Grace! She was very genuine, even with her awareness of the social world. Her amnesia offered her an opportunity to try learn about herself. Even though at first Benedict was mostly trying to make amends, he quickly became intrigued by Grace. I loved how they were able to truly connect and learn about each other.

I really enjoyed the story and seeing the adventures they had! It was very sweet to see the progression and I appreciated how they communicated, even with the emotions.

This collection is all themed around the Harvest Ball and there are interwoven characters. All the stories are standalone and have only kisses.

I received an ARC.

The Emma Special

About the Book:

Title: The Emma Special
Series: Kiss and Tell #1
Author: Mandi Blake, Tasha Hackett
Release Date: October 2nd, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy

One hitchhiking fairy. One lawyer late for work. Enter: Confetti.

Emma Glass might pretend to be a princess for birthday parties, but her life is anything but a fairytale. Too bad princess gigs don’t pay into a 401K or provide health insurance—something she desperately needs for an old knee injury.

James Moore’s life changed the day he stopped to give a fairy a ride to book club. Now his high school crush is the new assistant at his law firm, and he’s falling for her all over again.

And when Emma won’t accept his money for knee surgery, he proposes another, totally reasonable solution—marriage.

They couldn’t be more different, and this marriage is supposed to be…convenient. Neither of them is prepared for when it starts to look less like a business agreement and more like happily ever after.

The Emma Special is a Christian, smalltown romance with depth and lots of laughs. The Kiss and Tell series centers around a hilarious group of women who stick by each other through thick and thin and should be read in order.

Book Review:

Oh, I loved Emma! She was just a bright light in this book but she was also struggling to hold herself up. James was also the sweetest and really tried to support Emma. The Emma Special is the first book in Mandi Blake and Tasha Hackett’s new series, Kiss and Tell. I was so excited to see that Mandie Blake was going to write a romcom and it was so cute!

I felt so bad for Emma. She was really positive but she was definitely struggling to find her place. I loved how she leaned on her faith and friends as she navigated the challenges she was facing. Emma had to learn to find her identity in Christ and accept help. James was also a sweetheart. He had fallen hard for Emma but he didn’t want to overwhelm her. I loved how he wanted to protect her and provide for her. James had to learn what it looked like to care for Emma and how to prioritize the important things in life. 

The romance was perfect! I loved the progression of their relationship. They started as friends and grew to more as they worked together. Marriage of convenience is my favorite trope and it was fun to read about James and Emma falling in love. I love the way that faith was woven into this story. Emma’s friends were so fun and I love the way that they supported her. 

I adored this book and I would totally recommend it! I loved the characters and the story. I am so excited for the rest of the books in this series. I know that they are going to be amazing. The Emma Special is a clean romantic comedy 

What I loved:

Found family 

Marriage of convenience

He takes care of her

Good communication 

Faith based

Whimsy 

I received a complimentary copy