Cinderella's Billion-Dollar Invitation - Michele Renae (HR #4888 - Feb 2024)

Series: If the Fairy Tale Fits (Book 2)
 
A DATE UNTIL MIDNIGHT…
 
Scientist Ivy's dreams are derailed following her brother's devastating illness. Now, she's working as a barista to make ends meet. So, when billionaire Wolf -- Ivy's most charming customer -- invites her to be his fake date at a glamorous ball, stepping out of her ordinary life is impossible to resist…as is his kiss! But what happens when Wolf wants her to be his Cinderella for more than just one night?
 
Good book. Ivy is an entomologist who has taken a break from her career to help her brother deal with an unexpected illness. She works as a barista in a local coffee shop to make ends meet. One charming but quiet customer catches her eye.
 
Wolf is a workaholic billionaire who built his company from nothing. A difficult childhood taught him to guard his heart, with multiple unsuccessful relationships reinforcing the necessity. He envies his business partner, Skyr, who has found love and happiness. Skyr gives Wolf a day-by-day calendar with challenges to get Wolf out of his rut. He first laughs it off but then decides to try it.
 
Wolf is a regular at the coffee shop, and we learn early that Ivy is the draw. Wolf is too reticent (maybe shy?) to speak to her, so he gets his coffee and cake and enjoys being in her presence. He orders the same thing every time until this day when the calendar challenges him to "try a new to you food." I laughed because he was not a lemon fan but chose lemon cake anyway. I laughed at his reaction and loved seeing Ivy take him a piece of his usual chocolate chip cake. They chatted for a few minutes, which he had never done before. The next day, it happened again.
 
Within a few days, Wolf involves Ivy in his daily challenges. I loved their connection and their growing friendship. I loved how Ivy encouraged Wolf's pursuit of the challenges. It doesn't take long before each feels more than friendship, but both are wary of saying anything. Wolf's invitation to his company's ball allows Ivy to step out of her everyday life and experience Wolf's. The ball scene was terrific. I enjoyed seeing Wolf's employees' reactions to Ivy and loved the promise it showed for their future.
 
However, obstacles stand in their way. Wolf's past comes back to bite him when an action taken early in their friendship damages Ivy's trust. Her reaction stirs up his insecurities. Ivy pulls away out of guilt when her brother has a medical episode while she is off with Wolf. Both must let go of the past before opening their hearts to a future together. The ending was sweet and emotional, and the epilogue wrapped the book beautifully.
 
Ivy's brother Ivan played a critical role in the book. He is the reason Ivy is in New York. His illness adds an uncertainty to their lives that both must adjust to. Ivy is a little overprotective and tends to hover more than Ivan likes. I felt that Ivan handled his diagnosis better than Ivy did. I liked their close relationship and their support of each other.

Danger in the Depths - Addison Fox (HRS #2240 - Aug 2023)

Series: New York Harbor Patrol (Book 1)
 
Some secrets should stay beneath the surface…
 
Working alongside Marlowe McCoy means that NYPD diver Wyatt Trumbull has to ignore his fierce attraction to the prickly safecracker. He faces a whole new set of challenges when she finally responds to his desire with her own -- and when clues in his latest case implicate her family. He wants to protect her, but will his own hidden scars make them both vulnerable?
 
Terrific book that hooked me from the start. I read it in one sitting. This is the first in a series about a little-known branch of the NYPD - the Harbor Patrol. These officers deal with everything from checking the bridges for bombs to diving for evidence recovery to water rescues. The underwater descriptions fascinated me and made me feel as though I was there.
 
Marlowe is a lock and vault technician, aka a safecracker. She has a stellar reputation and often works with the NYPD. Her path crosses with Wyatt's again when she works on a series of safes that are part of his murder investigation. I enjoyed the banter between them as Wyatt teased her with silly nicknames that got under her skin. However, underneath the irritation is an attraction that neither can deny, though both fight against it.
 
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Both have events from their pasts that have influenced who they are, though they try to keep them in the past. That becomes more difficult when aspects of the current case bring those memories to the surface. As Wyatt and Marlow spent time together, they began to see past the façades they showed others and found they had many things in common. There are some rough patches because both are stubborn when they get an idea in their heads. Marlowe does some things that damage Wyatt's trust, causing tension between them. A dangerous situation opens their eyes to their feelings and the hope for a future together.
 
The suspense of this story kept me intrigued from start to finish. The fast-paced action and the twists kept me guessing for a long time. A few scenes from the bad guy's perspective contribute to the case's complexity, while an unexpected link to Marlowe's family adds another layer of tension and danger. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was glued to the pages until it was done.
 
I've already read the third book in the series and look forward to reading the second one. Though characters and workplaces connect the books, each story can be read as a standalone. 

 
 
 

Threats in the Deep - Addison Fox (HRS #2288 - Aug 2024)

Series: New York Harbor Patrol (Book 3)
 
They shared one unforgettable night
And now they're partners in more ways than one
 
NYPD diver Gavin Hayes can't stop thinking about the woman he rang in the New Year with. Assistant District Attorney Sera Forte needs to find the man she spent the night with and break the news of her unexpected pregnancy. When they learn they've been paired up for a new criminal task force, they realize they need to solve more than the mystery they've been given. The burning attraction that brought them together still smolders. But the case Gavin and Sera are working is a dangerous one. Can he protect the woman he loves and their baby?
 
Good mix of romance and suspense. Gavin and Sera spent an unforgettable but anonymous New Year's Eve, exchanging only first names and small details about who they were. Neither has been able to forget the other. Sera is pregnant and has no idea how to find him to tell him.
 
As the story opens, Sera, an assistant district attorney, is invited to participate in a special task force with the police department, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies. It's a good career move and an intriguing opportunity. The last thing she expected was to encounter Gavin, the father of her baby. Gavin, a diver with the NYPD's Harbor Unit, was equally surprised to see Sera. Their first meeting was awkward, with Gavin being a bit of a jerk and Sera unsure how to deal with him.
 
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Gavin and Sera. Though it got off to a slightly rough start, they didn't take long to get to know each other. I liked that Sera trusted her instincts and realized Gavin's attitude wasn't like him. I liked their connection and how Gavin's interest in her and her work made Sera feel good. I liked how easily they talked together and how sensitive they were to each other's moods.  Sera's confession of her pregnancy shocked Gavin, but he quickly embraced the idea. The obstacle they face is that each is freaked out about the intensity of their emotions and hesitant to admit them. I enjoyed seeing how their time together brought them closer and helped them overcome their hesitation.
 
The suspense of the story kept me hooked from start to finish. I was intrigued by the diving aspect of the case and the discovery of the weapons cache. Gavin and Sera's teamwork was terrific, and I loved the involvement of the other Harbor team members. The escalating danger caused by the person behind the guns had everyone on edge, and it intensified when the team came under attack. I could feel their frustration as lead after lead turned into dead ends. A twist at the end brings insight and danger to Sera, with a final confrontation that had me on the edge of my seat.
 
This is the first of this series I have read, but I will definitely read the others. 

Cinderella in the Spotlight - Sophie Pembroke (HR #4891 - Mar 2024)

Series: Twin Sister Swap (Book 1)
 
HIDING FROM THE WORLD…IN PLAIN SIGHT! 
 
Rowan's dismayed when her identical twin begs her to temporarily step into her New York life. Willow's a famous supermodel, and Rowan is…not. If that isn't complicated enough, incredibly charming tycoon Eli needs a famous face for his charity gala…and Rowan's the top choice! She should refuse, but Eli's way too tempting. However, if this Cinderella's not careful, she'll find herself in the spotlight, unmasked -- and completely undone…
 
Very good book. Rowan and her sister, Willow, are identical twins. They were modeling sensations when they were younger. Willow still lives the glamorous life of a supermodel, while Rowan walked away several years ago. She now lives quietly in a small Cornish village where she designs clothes. When Willow shows up at Rowan's house asking for a favor, Rowan can't say no. Willow has parted ways with her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ben, and has discovered she's pregnant. She needs a quiet place to work out what she wants to do and asks Rowan to take her place in the city and pretend to be her. This way, no one knows that Willow is gone.
 
When Rowan arrives at Willow's apartment in New York, she finds a strange man there, which triggers a panic attack. Eli, who is Ben's brother, helps her through the episode. Eli is surprised by Rowan (who he believes is Willow). She is not what he expected, which creates a conflict within him. He is attracted to her, but she is his brother's ex and, therefore, off-limits.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Rowan and Eli. Because Eli had never met Willow, it is easier for Rowan to portray her sister while retaining some of her own personality. I liked Rowan's interest in Eli's charity and how she got involved. Spending time together working on his project brings them closer together, but Rowan feels guilty about not telling him the truth. Meanwhile, Eli senses that she is hiding something. Both have issues stemming from their pasts that affect the way they see themselves and their relationships. 

I liked seeing the changes that being together brought about. Rowan looks at her current life and must decide if she has been living the life she wants or has simply been hiding. Eli faces his doubts about his place in the family and his relationship with Ben. I liked the ending and seeing them face their fears. Rowan finds that she is stronger than she thought, and Eli discovers that there is a place for him after all.
 
I'm looking forward to reading Willow's story. I can't wait to see if Ben redeems himself or remains as big a jerk as he was in this book. 

Her New York Minute - Darby Baham (HSE #3032 - Feb 2024)

Series: Friendship Chronicles (Book 4)
 
Eyes on the prize…
Her career -- or her love?
 
From the moment Brit Olivia Robinson lands in New York City, she's single-minded in her ambition: take America by storm and become the best portfolio manager the New York office has ever seen on her way to a big UK promotion. Romance? No way. But after a chance airplane connection with handsome Thomas Wright, the instant spark that ignites is unlike anything she's ever felt. Thomas's role is clear, especially as Liv settles into her temporary new life. She needs a friend -- nothing more. If ambitious Liv pauses on her zoom to the top, though, can she find room for Thomas in her heart and her life -- permanently?
 
Eh. I wanted to like this book. It has never taken me three days to read one of these books, but I kept finding it easy to be distracted from it. It felt more like a book about Olivia and her friends than a romance. It seemed like Thomas had very little page time. The story was told entirely from Olivia's point of view, and I missed getting his point of view on what was happening. It was like half the story was missing. The series is called "The Friendship Chronicles," but I could have used less girl time and more romance.
 
When Olivia arrived in New York from London, she was excited about the job opportunity ahead of her. She has her entire career planned out with no room for distractions. Meeting a nice guy who strikes sparks was not in her plan, but Thomas is laid back and willing to be friends. I didn't care for how she kept him to a text-only friendship for months before deciding to grace him with an in-person meet-up.
 
I liked Thomas. He is a nice guy who deserves better than Olivia. He is sweet, caring, intuitive, and understands her. I liked his support and encouragement despite her taking him for granted.
 
I understand that she had her fears of getting too close, thanks to previous relationships. But Thomas was clearly different than those other men. I had high hopes for her when she took their relationship to the next level, but she blew it when she got word of an upcoming promotion. She lost what little credibility she'd built up with me with her treatment of Thomas. There is some redemption after a conversation with one of her friends gives her plenty to think about. The ending has promise, but if I were Thomas, I'd be cautious.

The Pierogi Peril - Geri Krotow (Severn House - Jan 2024)

Series: Kielbasa Queen (Book 2)
 
Lydia Wienewski has opened her Polish-American cafe and bakery on the shore of Lake Erie, but her idyllic new venture is shattered when the low tide leads to a terrible discovery.
 
July, 1982. Lydia Wienewski's dream has finally come true: Lydia's Lakeside Cafe and Bakery, selling delicious Polish-American fare on the shore of Lake Erie, is now open and her fortunes are looking up. Even her old nemesis and tutor, the irascible Madame Delphine, has made time to sample Lydia's delectable pierogi, with some of her students in tow.
 
But when Lydia finds Madame Delphine dead in the water, her lakeside dream turns into a nightmare. Was it a bizarre suicide, or brutal murder? As Lydia and Grandma Mary investigate, they discover that there was more to Madame Delphine than meets the eye, and quickly find themselves drawn into an increasingly perilous situation! Can they uncover the truth about Madame Delphine's untimely death?
 
This was a fun, cozy mystery that hooked me quickly and kept me intrigued to the end. The scene is Buffalo, New York, in the early 1980s, and a Polish-American café owner who stumbles over her second dead body in a few months. Though I haven't (yet) read the first book in the series, enough backstory is provided for the references to make sense.
 
Lydia returned to her home and family in Buffalo after leaving pastry school in Ottawa over differences with her instructor, Madame Delphine. She splits her time between helping her father with his butcher business and running her newly opened café and bakery, with little left to spend with her boyfriend, Stanley. I like Lydia's close relationship with her family; the love, respect, and support are clearly there.
 
The story begins with an unexpected visit from Madame Delphine and others from the pastry school. Lydia is wary, as they did not part on the best terms. But the visit is surprisingly cordial, with both admitting to mistakes made. I liked the prospect of a friendly and professional relationship between the two former adversaries. Matters become complicated the next morning when Lydia discovers Madame's dead body in the lake behind the café.
 
I enjoyed Lydia and Grandma's investigation into the murder. Though the local cop writes it off as a suicide, Lydia is sure it was murder and sets out to prove it. The clues are few and far between, and there is a wide range of suspects, from Delphine's husband or son to students from the pastry school. Despite warnings from the local cop to stay out of it, Lydia is determined to solve the mystery before it impacts her business. I liked following her thought processes, though sometimes they led her to take risky chances. The final confrontation was well done, with enough intensity to keep me on the edge of my seat until it was over.
 
The story's characters were well-portrayed and unique enough to keep them straight. Lydia was fervently family-oriented but also looking for her place separate from them. She has her moments of unlikeable behavior, but it is easy to see the changes she undergoes during the book. Her boyfriend, Stanley, is a law student who is as busy as she is. I liked how they worked at their relationship. I loved his support and protectiveness as she got more involved in the investigation. I adored Grandma Mary. She reminds me a lot of Grandma Mazur in the Stephanie Plum books. She is feisty and outspoken, making me laugh at some of her comments.