BLOG TOUR: Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Alicia Thompson for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Never Been Shipped

Author: Alicia Thompson

Published by: Berkley

Released: June 10, 2025

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

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Synopsis: A band reunion may be enough to change two musicians' tune on love in this electric romance from USA Today bestselling author Alicia Thompson.

 Micah's relationship to music is complicated. As teenagers, her band took off after being featured on a popular TV show, but the group barely released their sophomore album before breaking up. Now, over a decade later, the band is reuniting for one more performance on a themed cruise, and Micah is determined to learn from her past mistakes -- no losing herself in the music, and no losing her heart along the way. 

 John misses playing in a band, and mostly he misses Micah, who'd been his best friend until the music stopped. Back then, he didn't take the lead, either in his guitar parts or while he sat back and watched her date another bandmate. John's never been one to rock the boat, but he's faced with another chance now that this cruise has brought music -- and Micah -- back in his life.

 Onboard, Micah can't help but see John with brand new eyes, and John's feelings only intensify as the discordant band's tension grows to a breaking point. With five days at sea, there's a ticking clock on anything that might develop between them, and they'll have to decide if their relationship is destined to be more than a one-hit wonder. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this one. I loved this story of two musicians falling for each other. I also loved having this set on a cruise ship.

This was just a fun read. The romance was definitely a slow burn, so you have to have some patience. Some of the characters maybe didn't always make the best decisions.

This is perfect summer reading material.

Alicia Thompson is a writer, reader, and Paramore superfan. As a teen, she appeared in an episode of 48 Hours in the audience of a local murder trial, where she broke the fourth wall by looking directly into the camera. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Never Been Shipped by Alicia Thompson! Thank you to Berkley and Alicia Thompson for letting me be a part of the tour. It's out now!

BLOG TOUR: Ride With Me by Simone Soltani

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Ride With Me by Simone Soltani! I received a free electronic copy for review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Simone Soltani for letting me be a part of the tour!

 

 

 

 

Title: Ride With Me (Lights Out #2)

Author: Simone Soltani

Published by: Berkley

Released: May 20, 2025

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by the Publisher

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Synopsis: A marriage of convenience threatens to go off track in this steamy Formula 1 romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Cross the Line.

Stella Baldwin thought her life couldn’t get worse. Being left at the altar was bad enough, and the drunken rant she posted to her social media followers in the aftermath was the cherry on top. But having to show up at her cousin’s bachelorette party in Las Vegas barely two weeks later feels like a cruel joke.

Thomas Maxwell-Brown is just looking for a good time. With his family’s expectations pressing down, his career as a Formula 1 driver threatened by fresh talent, and a new reputation as the most hated man on the grid, he needs a break to clear his head. And what better way to decompress than with a stag party in Vegas?

Stella isn’t the woman Thomas expects to meet that night. And Thomas isn’t the man Stella expects to wake up next to in the morning—with a ring on her finger. Staying married might be the perfect solution to all their problems, even if it is a little wild. Sometimes, what happens in Vegas doesn’t need to stay there. . . . (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

 

My Thoughts: I love a marriage of convenience trope! This one is a Vegas made me do it, but they stay married because it helps them both out.

I really enjoyed this one! I liked both of our characters of Stella and Thomas. I also really enjoyed the Formula 1 backdrop.

This book was a little on the longer side for a romance, but I wasn't mad about it.

I will definitely read more from Simone Soltani in the future. 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Ride With Me by Simone Soltani! Thank you to Berkley and Simone Soltani for letting me be a part of the tour. This is definitely one to check out.

BLOG TOUR: Hounding A Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin

 I'm back!! And with a Blog Tour for Hounding A Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Kallie E. Benjamin for letting me be a part of the tour!

 

 

Title: Hounding A Killer (Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery #2)

Author: Kallie E. Benjamin

Published by: Berkley

Released: May 6, 2025

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

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Synopsis: It’s chaos in Crosbyville when someone tries to swindle a large inheritance, but as Pris and Bailey start digging for the missing money, they uncover the wrong kind of bones….

Finally finished with the renovations on her new house, bestselling children’s book author Pris and her trusty bloodhound, Bailey, are finding more opportunities to join the community, including attending the annual town festival. But their efforts are paw-sed when David Townsend, volatile grandson of the late wealthy resident Edward Townsend, comes to fetch his inheritance.

After the new arrival riles up several other locals with petty arguments, the once sleepy town goes barking mad. Before long, the wealthy bachelor disappears without a trace, and the police suspect foul play. Bailey’s tracking instincts helped them collar the last criminal in Crosbyville, so the cops turn to Pris and her sweet hound to track down David.

But on their search-and-rescue mission, Pris and Bailey sniff out fraud, theft, and a body. Before they know it, both are hackles-deep inside another homicide investigation. Can the unlikely duo chase down the killer, or will they be left chasing their own tails? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I always have fun reading cosy mysteries, and this one was no exception. I really enjoyed all the characters in this and I find it really cute that one of them is Bailey the Bloodhound. I also just enjoyed the feel of the town/setting.

I enjoyed seeing how Pris and Bailey solved the mystery.

I could definitely see myself reading more from this series. 

If you are a fan of cozies, then you should pick up this series and give it a go. 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Hounding A Killer by Kallie E. Benjamin. Thanks so much to Berkley and Kallie E. Benjamin for giving me the chance to read and review it!

BLOG TOUR: Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Berkley and Ashley Herring Blake for letting me be a part of the tour!

 

Title: Make the Season Bright

Author: Ashley Herring Blake

Published by: Berkley

Released: October 1, 2024

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads          Amazon

 

Synopsis: Two exes find themselves stuck at the same house for Christmas in this holiday romance by Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn't Date.

It's been five years since Charlotte Donovan was ditched at the altar by her ex-fiancée, and she’s doing more than okay. Sure, her single mother never checks in, but she has her strings ensemble, the Rosalind Quartet, and her life in New York is a dream come true. As the holidays draw near, her ensemble mate Sloane persuades Charlotte and the rest of the quartet to spend Christmas with her family in Colorado—it is much cozier and quieter than Manhattan, and it would guarantee more practice time for the quartet’s upcoming tour. But when Charlotte arrives, she discovers that Sloane’s sister Adele also brought a friend home—and that friend is none other than her ex, Brighton. All Brighton Fairbrook wanted was to have the holliest, jolliest Christmas—and try to forget that her band kicked her out. But instead, she’s stuck pretending like she and her ex are strangers—which proves to be difficult when Sloane and Adele’s mom signs them all up for a series of Christmas dating events. Charlotte and Brighton are soon entrenched in horseback riding and cookie decorating, but Charlotte still won’t talk to her. Brighton can hardly blame her after what she did. After a few days, however, things start to slip through. Memories. Music. The way they used to play together—Brighton on guitar, Charlotte on her violin—and it all feels painfully familiar. But it’s all in the past and nothing can melt the ice in their hearts...right? (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: This was cute and fun to pick up during the holiday season. It is a second chance romance mixed with forced proximity. I can see a lot of people enjoying this read during the holiday season.

I had a good time with it. I liked the musical aspect to the characters.

I enjoyed reading about both Brighton and Charlotte.

There were some cute scenes, some cozy scenes. I have no complaints.

 

 

 Ashley Herring Blake is an award-winning author. She holds a master’s degree in teaching and loves coffee, arranging her books by color, and cold weather. She is the author of romance novels, young adult novels, and middle grade novels. She’s also a coeditor on the young adult romance anthology Fools in Love. She lives on a very tiny island off the coast of Georgia with her family. 

 

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake! Thank you to Berkley and Ashley Herring Blake for letting me be a part of the tour. If you're looking for some holiday romance, give this one a shot!

BLOG TOUR: I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to MIRA and Beth Kander for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: I Made It Out of Clay

Author: Beth Kander

Published by: MIRA

Released: December 10, 2024

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

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Synopsis: In this darkly funny and surprisingly sweet novel, a woman creates a golem in a desperate attempt to pretend her life is a romantic comedy rather than a disaster.

Nothing’s going well for Eve: She’s single, turning forty, stressed at work and anxious about a recent series of increasingly creepy incidents. Most devastatingly, her beloved father died last year, and her family still won’t acknowledge their sorrow.

With her younger sister’s wedding rapidly approaching, Eve is on the verge of panic. She can’t bear to attend the event alone. That’s when she recalls a strange story her Yiddish grandmother once told her, about a protector forged of desperation… and Eve, to her own shock, manages to create a golem.

At first everything seems great. The golem is indeed protective—and also attractive. But when they head out to a rural summer camp for the family wedding, Eve’s lighthearted rom-com fantasy swiftly mudslides into something much darker. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this. I really liked the incorporation of myth from another culture. It sort of reminded me of when Sabrina the Teenage Witch makes a boy out of bread dough, but this story was much more than that.

This story deals with a lot of hard topics that are kind of hidden by the cute/funny cover. Eve is dealing with a lot in her love, stress and grief. Those do take a starring role in this story.

I enjoyed the idea of the golem, he wasn't the star of the show that I thought he was going to be.

This is really the story of Eve and the difficulties that can come with life. It's not the most lighthearted story, but it was a good read.

Beth Kander is a novelist and playwright with tangled roots in the Midwest and Deep South. The granddaughter of immigrants, her writing explores how worlds old and new intertwine―or collide. Her work has been described as “riveting,” “emotional,” “expertly crafted,” and “habit-forming." Expect twists, turns, and secrets, with surprising heart and humor. Beth has too many degrees and drinks too much coffee. Her favorite characters are her dashing husband and their two lovely kids. www.bethkander.com

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander! Thank you to MIRA and Beth Kander for letting me be a part of the tour. This is definitely a fun one to add to the TBR.

BLOG TOUR: The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor

I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor! I received a free electronic copy from the publisher for an honest review. Thanks so much to Park Row and Jillian Cantor for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: The Greatest Lie Of All

Author: Jillian Cantor

Published by: Park Row

Released: December 3, 2024

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads         Amazon

Synopsis: A glamorous romance novelist and an aspiring starlet share an unexpected secret in this addictive story about love, ambition and how far we’re willing to go to protect our hearts

Fledgling actress Amelia Grant is at rock bottom when offered the opportunity of a to star in a biopic about the world-renowned romance author Gloria Diamond, who used her own tragic love story as inspiration for her bestselling books. To prepare for the role, she’ll spend a week with Gloria at her secluded Washington estate. It’s a chance to get out of LA, away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, and to make her recently deceased mother proud.

Amelia’s excitement is short-lived, however, once she actually meets Gloria, who is cold, verging on rude and mostly unavailable. If not for Gloria’s frustratingly handsome son Will, the visit might be a complete waste of her time.

But when Amelia stumbles upon a secret from Gloria’s past, she realizes Gloria’s life story is more fiction than fact. And as the movie’s filming date draws nearer, Amelia must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to uncover the truth. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this one. The premise is the first thing that really got me. I love books about stardom and the movies. This was just a really fun book to get lost in.

I loved the intrigue of it all. What is Gloria Diamond's secret! I enjoyed following Amelia as she's trying to find out what makes this romance author tick.

I think a lot of people would enjoy this one.

Jillian Cantor is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of eleven novels for teens and adults, which have been chosen for LibraryReads, Indie Next and Amazon Best of the Month, and have been translated into thirteen languages. She has a BA in English from Penn State University and an MFA from the University of Arizona. Born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, Jillian currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for The Greatest Lie Of All by Jillian Cantor! Thank you to Park Row and Jillian Cantor for letting me be a part of the tour. This is an easy add for anyone's reading list.

BLOG TOUR: Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo

 I'm excited to be a part of the Blog Tour for Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo! I received a free electronic copy for an honest review from the publisher. Thanks so much to Hanover Square Press and Gu Byeong-mo for letting me be a part of the tour!

Title: Apartment Women

Author: Gu Byeong-mo

Published by: Hanover Square Press

Released: December 3, 2024

Source: Electronic Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Goodreads         Amazon

Synopsis: From the New York Times Notable author of The Old Woman with the Knife comes a bracingly original story of family, marriage and the cultural expectations of motherhood, about four women whose lives intersect in dramatic and unexpected ways at a government-run apartment complex outside Seoul When Yojin moves with her husband and daughter into the Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments, she’s ready for a fresh start. Located on the outskirts of Seoul, the experimental community is a government initiative designed to boost the national birth rate. Like her neighbors, Yojin has agreed to have at least two more children over the next ten years. Yet, from the day she arrives, Yojin feels uneasy about the community spirit thrust upon her. Her concerns grow as communal child care begins and the other parents show their true colors. Apartment Women traces the lives of four women in the apartments, all with different aspirations and beliefs. Will they find a way to live peacefully? Or are the cultural expectations around parenthood stacked against them from the start? A trenchant social novel from an award-winning author, Apartment Women incisively illuminates the unspoken imbalance of women’s parenting labor, challenging the age-old assumption that “it takes a village” to raise a child. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this one. I was interested in the story and learning about the characters. It was a slower paced story focused on a family, and people.

This is translated fiction. I'm always open and on the lookout to trying more translated fiction.

I could see a lot of people enjoying this one.

Gu Byeong-mo an award-winning author. Born in Seoul, South Korea, she now resides in Jinju, South Korea, with her family. The Old Woman with the Knife is her first book to be translated into English.

Thanks so much for checking out my Blog Tour Stop for Apartment Women by Gu Byeong-mo! Thank you to Hanover Square Press and Gu Byeong-mo for letting me be a part of the tour. You should definitely give this one a read.