ARC Review: The Thing About Love by Kim Karr

I am a huge Kim Karr fan, so at this point I just automatically add her books to my TBR without even reading the blurbs. But when I saw the cover for The Thing About Love, I couldn't wait to read the story. This book was cute and fun, and I enjoyed the light-hearted read.

Jake and Juliette got off on the wrong foot, but with a wedding to plan they are stuck with one another. The more time they spend together though, the more they really get to know one another and things between them start to change. But while things are growing between them, Juliette knows that it is a mistake to fall for Jake since he is unavailable. 

I liked these two. Jake and Juliette were fun and I felt the attraction between them right away. While things didn't go well at first, it was clear that there was something between them. I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another and felt like they would be good for one another. I will say that at times it felt like something was missing a bit though, and I think part of that is because there wasn't much angst or conflict here. While there was a small amount, it just felt like things were on the easy side and that kept me from really loving their story. 

I still liked these two and would recommend the book, especially if you are looking for something light and sweet. While this wasn't my favorite Kim Karr book, I have enjoyed everything I have read from her and The Thing About Love was no exception.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz

Promise Not to Tell is book two in Jayne Ann Krentz’s Cutler, Sutter & Salinas series. This can be read as a stand-alone, the events of the first book do not reflect on these. In the first book we found out a little about the guys childhood and how they think the cult leader that ruined their childhood and murdered their mothers is still alive. This book delves into their conspiracy theory and their past so much more, namely because their newest client was also among the children saved that night. 

Virginia Troy was the youngest child that was saved that night, she was taken in by her grandparents who thought it would be best to just put everything behind her but her constant nightmares and fear of fire keep her past firmly in the present. A couple years ago she was approached by one of the survivors of the cult, Hannah was one of her mother’s best friends she became an artist the only way to exercise her demons was to paint them. Virginia is an art gallery owner and although initially Hannah went to her to sell her painting she changed her mind and just had Virginia keep them for her. But the last painting she didn’t send to Virginia she instead took a picture and mailed the camera to her and then her body was washed up on shore. It was deemed a suicide but Virginia didn’t accept that answer because the last painting was clearly a warning for Virginia that Zane was back. 

Virginia went to Cutler, Sutter & Salinas because of their connection with her past, she knew out of anyone they would believe her. Cabot Sutter decided to take it on personally he knew better than to keep Virginia out of the loop she was too invested in the problem to just be left behind and he liked her and wanted her close to him. Together they looked at the suicide and the last painting Hannah painted and all the clues but then the bodies start appearing and it seems to be so much more than just Zane’s reappearance. 

Like many of JAK romantic suspense the romance plays second fiddle to the mystery but that doesn’t take away from the romance, it was well written and both characters play off each other well and they both have lots of depth, along with the Zane conspiracy Cabot gets pulled into family issues that he never wanted anything to do with and how he deals with that really shows his true character. Their past ties them together but so much more keeps them together. 

Overall, wonderful action, suspense, and a nice mystery. I loved the romance aspect it was nice and subtle Cabot and Virginia were fantastic characters, I can’t wait for the next one.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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A Naughty New Year with Nina Croft

Growing up in the cold, wet, north of England, Nina Croft spent a lot of time dreaming of faraway sunnier places and ponies. When she discovered both, along with a whole load of other things, could be found between the covers of a book, her life changed forever.

Later, she headed south, picked up the perfect husband along the way, and together they volunteered to work in Africa. There they discovered a love of exotic places and a dislike of 9-5 work. Afterward they spent a number of years travelling (whenever possible) intermingled with working (whenever necessary.) Eventually they stumbled upon a remote area in the mountains of southern Spain and the small almond farm they now call home.

Nina spends her days reading, writing and riding her mare, Gencianna, under the blue Spanish skies—sunshine and ponies. She reckons this is proof that dreams really can come true if you want them enough.

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ARC Review: Wilde in Love by Eloisa James

Wilde in Love the first in a new series by the very talented Eloisa James. The Wilde’s of Linlow Castle is a large family so hopefully it’s going to be a semi long series. It takes place during the Georgian era so we get the magnificent details of the wigs and the powder and the fancy dress topped off with EJ’s trademark wit and charm, her romance always contains that kind of wit for me that really just complements the active setting. 

Willa Ffynche is a little hard to like at first because she is kind of prejudice against Alaric at first and it seems unjustified she’s never met him and never read any of his books she’s only going on assumptions to what his character is really like and it’s not flattering. Alaric Wilde left his home in pursuit of adventure he wrote books about his adventures and now years later he is finally returning home only to find himself the object of desire for many of the young ladies in London. Not only did his books make him famous but a silly play written about him made him a celebrity, even if the whole thing was poppycock. What infuriates Alaric the most is that they actually think the portrayal of him in the play is correct, it couldn’t be further from the truth. His whole family thinks it’s amusing and keep poking fun at him with it. 

Willa and Alaric start off kind of rocky, she was all prepared to dislike him but instead she not only found him more attractive than the engravings sold of him. Alaric is amused by Willa for her obvious dislike of him and the fact she’s never read his book when it seems like the rest of the female population has, and she’s the prettiest woman he’s ever met. He’s determined to win her over as soon as she stops trying to talk herself out of falling in love with him. But when the delusional writer of the play shows up Willa agrees to pretend to be engaged to Alaric until they can figure out what they can do with the girl.

Overall, this was a great read. The puns and the bad jokes not the mention the absolutely adorable baby skunk and the ill-tempered cat. And I loved the tease for the next book at the end.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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A Naughty New Year with Marie Harte

Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, MARIE HARTE is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit www.marieharte.com and fall in love.

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