Quickie Reviews are what it says, a short one paragraph review for those books that didn’t get a full page review.

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata

Vanessa wants to quit her job, but Aiden ups the ante when he not only begs her to come back, but makes a proposal that takes the “personal” in personal assistant to a whole new level.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was an excellent, super slow burn. I was very convinced for the first half of the book that these two didn’t like each other and I had no idea how the author was going to cross that bridge. But things slowly started to change and I loved it. It might’ve helped to have Aiden’s viewpoint every once in a while, because it was difficult to like him and to imagine him changing in any significant way. The romance for them definitely developed at the right pace in the right way. This may sound like something to slog through to get to the good parts, but I was really invested in seeing their interactions and how this was all going to work out. Just stick with it, it’s worth it.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 28, 2016
Sensuality Rating: Warm

Heroic Hearts by Jim Butcher and others

In this short story collection of courage, adventure, and magic, heroes – ordinary people who do the right thing – bravely step forward.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was an outstanding collection of short stories, some by authors I know and love, and others that were completely new to me. All of them played out in an existing world already established by the particular author and provided an interesting look into some characters that don’t usually play big roles in the main books of the series.

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy Anthology
Published: May 3, 2022
Sensuality Rating: None

Random in Death by J.D. Robb

A small and easily concealed weapon wreaks havoc, and the killer is just a face in the crowd.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Eve’s brilliant and timely observations were very on point this time, along with her usual misunderstanding of commonly used phrases and back-and-forth with Peabody. The case was very interesting and disturbing and the author very cleverly spread the breadcrumbs that led to the conclusion so that the investigation unfolded at just the right pace. This book can be read on its own, but reading this long-standing series from the start will provide better insight into Eve and Roark.

Genre: Suspense
Published: January 23, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: In Death

The Reason I Married Him by Meghan Quinn

Wyatt wants his grandfather’s cabin, Aubree wants Wyatt’s half of the farm. This marriage of convenience might be more than they bargained for.

⭐⭐⭐ I quite liked this story for the most part, but it did feel like it could’ve been a bit shorter. Wyatt had this big, dramatic personality that made him very charming and likeable. Aubree was a tough audience though. It felt at times as if Wyatt inserted himself too much into Aubree’s life and he just eventually wore her down. They never really had a solid conversation about the abuse that Aubree had suffered, so Wyatt might not have all the facts. He did seem to be good for her though, bringing her out of her shell so she was not so completely focused on everyone else to her own detriment.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: February 6, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Almond Bay

Hope you enjoyed these quickie reviews. Have you read any of these books yet?

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