Publisher: Griffin
Genre: Romance
Source: Griffin ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: During the coziness of sweater weather in the mountains of Virginia two people find love against all odds in USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle’s And Then There Was You.

Reeling after falling prey to a Romeo con-artist who just waltzed away with the better part of her belongings, Natalie Maynard works closely with the detective assigned to her case, only the few leads have led nowhere.

Detective Randy Fellowes can’t promise Natalie restitution, but he’s determined to find the culprit and serve up justice. Married to his work, he’s caught off guard when Natalie has his thoughts wandering to more than the case.

Natalie soon seeks refuge in the one thing she still owns ― an old fishing cabin in the mountains of Chestnut Ridge. She quickly falls in love with the town and the eccentric people who are teaching her so much about the area and its heritage.

Through these people, and the determination of Detective Fellowes, she rediscovers her courage, self, and a reason to risk love again.

Ope’s Opinion: The main character ( Natalie ) was so naive. I felt sorry for her. This story moved so slow. I found myself skimming because nothing was happening. It was hard to believe Natalie knew so little about her husband.

The ending was what you would expect. After the rest of the story moved so slow, the ending was rushed and tied it all up real quick.

Publisher: Brillance Audio
Genre: Romance/ Suspense
Source: Brilliance Audio ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee lights the fuse, and the Stone siblings must rely on their wits and hearts to uncover a dangerous enemy…and an explosive secret.

Taking over her late father’s company was never part of Alex Stone’s life plan.

But now, sitting in the CEO chair at Stone Enterprises, she’s resigned to living her life alone. Being a high-powered, billionaire woman tends to narrow one’s romantic prospects. As Alex works relentlessly to reshape her inherited hotel empire, she’s acquired a target on her back complete with death threats.

Alex turns to Hawk Bronson, a man who is equal parts bodyguard, sexy, and completely infuriating. Especially when it comes to protecting her.

As the danger escalates, Hawk comes to terms with the fact that their connection goes way beyond bodyguard and assignment. He knows he should keep his distance—his own dark past and nightmares put her at greater risk—but he can’t walk away. Protecting Alex means everything. Putting her life in someone else’s care isn’t an option once he’s tasted their passion and depth of his feelings.

As they navigate a minefield of family secrets, past pain, and unexpected hope, Alex and Hawk must face their deepest fears and fight for a future together. But first, they’ll need to unmask whoever is behind the threats—before Alex becomes their next victim.

Ope’s Opinion: I do like Catherine Bybee’s books. This one was not one of my favorites. It is the third in a series. It can be read alone, but it is so much better with all the background knowledge from the other two books.

There was some mystery/suspense to start the story off. Then it went to the romance, then back to the suspense. I wish there had been more of the mystery, I felt like it got lost for a while.

I will be interested in what Catherine Bybee writes next.

Publisher: Toad Tree Press
Genre: Romance
Source: Toad Tree Press ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: Tess hasn’t experienced many kindnesses in her eighteen years. When her boyfriend abandons her at a small-town gas station, it’s not a surprise, just one more crappy event to add to the pile. Without a car, money, or cell phone, her options are limited, and calling her parents isn’t one of them, so when the family that owns the station throws her a lifeline, she grabs hold. Because even the worst situations can have a silver lining, and this one is a town called Jasper Creek, a diner everyone calls Earl’s, and a young mechanic named Colten Reed.

Ope’s Opinion: This was an easy enjoyable read. It is a teen summer read. There was some foul language, but it was not over the top. The characters were young and made decisions that were appropriate for that age ( not always the smart decision ).

It was a cute story with a predictable ending, the journey was worth it.

I would like to go back and see what else Rayna York wrote and read them. I am looking forward to what she writes next.

Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Romance
Source: Harper Collins ( Netgalley )

Goodreads: This rom-com debut has the fierce girl energy of the movie  Booksmart,  blended with the awkwardness of Kelly Quindlen’s  Late to the Party,  topped with a thrilling international meet-cute a la  Love and Gelato. Olivia Schwartz has a plan. It’s even color-coded. And the plan is a perfect SAT score, a prestigious college, and a straight path towards her dream of becoming a doctor. The last thing she wants to do—the summer before her senior year of high school, no less—is go on a cruise. Especially with her parents, younger brothers, and all the unspoken things between them since her older brother’s death so many years ago. Then Olivia meets Sebastian. He’s everything she’s charming, exciting, willing to take risks and run with them. For the first time, Olivia feels like she can have  fun… But there’s a lot bubbling up under the surface on this cruise, and when past secrets begin to come to light, Olivia must face all the truths that she’s ignored for so about herself, Sebastian, her brother, the past she  thought  she understood, and the future she’s always planned.

Ope’s Opinion: If you know a high student who enjoys reading this might be a good book to pass along to them. It does deal with loss and grief, but also deals with the normal coming of age things a senior in high school has to deal with.

I was disappointed the author did not make the main character a stronger person. She probably made her more realistic, but when I read these stories I like to see someone stand up to the peer pressure and rise above, instead of trying to fit in.