ARC Review: Pine River by Tijan

Pine River is a standalone story featuring Ramsay and Scout, high school students that have both been dealt some bad hands when it comes to life. This one deals with some serious topics, so make sure you check trigger warnings before diving into this one. I honestly love Tijan’s books, and with each new story I read from her, I remember all over again why I love them so much.

Tijan is a master at creating unique and relatable worlds, full of a rich cast of characters that seem genuine and one of a kind each and every time. Pine River captivated me from the very first page until the last, and I never wanted to leave! Ramsay and Scout’s chemistry was so clear to see from their very first interaction. But what made this one special was the connection and bond that built over time for them. They didn’t start out on the best terms, but due to Ramsay’s cousins and their shared friends, these two were constantly thrust into each other’s presence and that got to be more than either one of them could fight. 

I loved seeing how things developed and honestly couldn’t get enough of not only Ramsay and Scout, but also the rest of their group. This world is one that I hope we get more of. I’d love to see more of the triplets (Ramsay’s cousins) but also, there is so much possibility with their friends and even the adults! Pine River was a great story and I felt so connected to the characters. This one had me feeling all the emotions and I can’t recommend it enough. Tijan is a must read author, and this book was great!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: King of Country by C.W. Farnsworth

 

CW Farnsworth was a new to me author this year, and since reading that first book by her, I have been reading anything and everything I can of hers! King of Country sounded so good, and I knew I had to read it as soon as I saw it announced! It was everything I have come to know and love from her books and I know readers are going to enjoy this one as much as I did. 

Kyle Spencer is the king of country music, looking to retire and lead a simple life after years of touring. Piper Egan works for his record label and has been tasked with heading to the middle of nowhere to get him to sign a new contract. When Piper arrives, Kyle is nothing like the nice and charming smiling face she is used to from him, but she is determined to change his mind. Things get complicated once she learns his reasons for not wanting to return and a connection between them starts to grow. 

These two had so much chemistry. I loved seeing how they got to know one another and watching as their connection grew. They were good for one another, and I felt so connected to them. I didn’t want to put this one down, wanting to see how things would turn out. I really enjoyed this one from start to finish, loving the characters and the story. 

I have really come to love Farnsworth’s books and this one was no exception! I highly recommend King of Country and I already can’t wait to see what Farnsworth writes next!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: P.S. I'm Still Yours by Eliah Greenwood

 

I have loved the Easton High series by Eliah Greenwood, so I was really excited to get a book set in this world. P.S. I’m Still Yours is a complete standalone, though if you’ve read the Easton High series, you’ll recognize some names and characters. This story features Kane and Hadley, childhood friends turned strangers.

After finding his career in trouble, Kane returns to the beach house he once vacationed at as a child where his mother has invited her best friend and her daughter to stay for the summer. But Hadley is no longer the girl he grew up with and after he once left her broken-hearted without a goodbye, things between them are cold at best. Hadley knows that there was once something between her and Kane, but after him ghosting her and then showing up on the worst day of her life like nothing happened, anything between them is long gone. Will he find a way to win her over and salvage any kind of relationship with her or will too much have happened to forgive?

For me, I was interested in Kane and Hadley and could feel the obvious connection and chemistry between them. My issue here was that when all was revealed, I could not forgive Kane for things he had done and been a party too, no matter his age or reasoning behind his actions. I know he was young and he was sorry and knew he messed up and tried to make it right. I saw his heartbreak and the emotions he felt, and they felt genuine, but I just don’t know how I’d be able to move on from that and I honestly feel like if it were me in Hadley’s place, I wouldn’t be able to get past it, even though there was love there. I know a lot of people will probably feel differently or be able to forgive and move forward, but I just wish that Kane hadn’t been a part of what he was at all. It just made loving this one impossible for me.

I have loved Eliah’s books previously and encourage readers to give this one a shot if it sounds like something you might like. Just because I couldn’t forgive and forget with Kane doesn’t mean others won’t enjoy this one.

Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: The Stars Are On Our Side by Jennifer Hartmann

I was so excited to hear we were finally getting Gabe and Tabitha’s story! If you’ve read Still Beating and/or Lotus, you will recognize these characters. You could read The Stars Are On Our Side if you haven’t previously read those two books though as this is about separate characters. I will say though if you are planning on reading either Lotus or Still beating, you will want to read those first as those stories will be spoiled by reading The Stars Are On Our Side.

Still Beating was the first book I ever read from Jennifer Hartmann, and after finishing that one, I immediately wanted to read everything that I could from her, and that started with Tabitha and what happened before Cora and Dean’s story. So to say this story is something that I had always hoped we would get, is an understatement. Gabe and Tabitha’s story was really a journey. If you know anything about this world from Jennifer Hartmann, you know that this is not an easy ride. These two had so much to go through to get to where they were, and I honestly felt so much for each of them. I cannot even imagine being in their shoes, but I felt so connected to them. They were amazing. I can’t say much more than that without spoiling anything, which I refuse to do as this is one you just need to experience. But what I will say is that I absolutely love these two characters and they are absolutely perfect together. 

I will also say that this one is not an easy story and at times was a little tough to push through. I just felt so much for them and reliving Tabitha’s past was rough. If you have any triggers, I would definitely recommend checking them. But what I will say is that this book is everything I had hoped for and I am so glad I read it. This book was well written, captivating, and emotional. I feel like it was some of Jennifer’s best writing, which is saying something as I have loved everything I’ve read from her. I already cannot wait to see what she will write next! Gabe and Tabitha are everything, make sure to check this one out!

**ARC Provided by Valentine PR**

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ARC Review: Mr. Hook-Up by Marni Mann

 

I couldn’t wait to read Mr. Hook-Up after reading The Bachelor by Marni Mann, and it was everything I hoped for and more! This book is a standalone story, and the start of Marni’s new Hooked series. Readers first meet some of the characters from Mr. Hook-Up in Marni’s book The Bachelor as Camden Dalton helps Declan Shaw take on a case that becomes a large part of this series. Not only do I highly recommend the whole Dalton series (they are interconnected stand-alones) as they are all fantastic reads, but I definitely recommend reading The Bachelor first if possible as it was so good and gives you a little glimpse into this book!

This book has one of my favorite tropes ever, texting/secret identity, and I couldn’t get enough. It is split into two parts, and I was honestly so in love with this story as I read it. I won’t give anything away, but I had to know how things would go after part one and didn’t want to put this one down for anything! These characters are sexy and witty, and I just loved every second of this one!

Fans of Marni will love this book as it has everything i’ve come to expect and appreciate about her stories! Her writing is so good and you can’t help but fall in love with her characters and want to be right there with them. She also always brings the spice, and this one was no exception! I can’t wait to read this one again and to also get more in this series! I love Marni’s books, but this one could possibly be my new favorite! Mr. Hook-Up will have you Hooked from the very first page, an absolute must-read!

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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