• Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Babycakes by Donna Kauffman

    December 22, 2023

    A dessert baker finds romance in a small Southern town just as sweet as her cupcakes.

    Kit Bellamy was raised on pie. Mamie Sue’s Peanut Pies, to be exact—the family company her scheming brother-in-law sold out from under her. Now Kit needs a new recipe for her life, and Georgia’s Sugarberry Island seems to have all the ingredients. In that sleepy Southern town, Kit finds a new job running the mail-order cupcake business Babycakes…and meets the tall, dark, and adorable lawyer Morgan Westlake.

    Having just moved to the island to raise his goddaughter, Morgan is as mouthwatering as any of Kit’s creations. There’s just one fly in the batter: Morgan hails from the very law firm that helped crush her dreams. Fortunately, Kit’s new friends can assure her that Morgan is no typical Westlake–and that even lawyers, not to mention single dads, need romance. If Kit can just be persuaded to follow her appetite—her sweetest dreams just might come true. The author on incorporating food in her writing:

    “I think that writing about food encompasses all of our senses. Food is a lot like life and relationships and people in that it stimulates your sense of smell, your sense of taste, your touch. Everything about it is wound up into this one element and I think we all obviously enjoy food so there’s that universal element. I think it can be done both in a way that’s entertaining and interesting and fun, but it’s also very sensual and interesting, and I think it adds a certain element of tension going on between the couple too.”
    Donna Kauffman
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Loving the Billionaire Heir Doc by Dobi Daniels

    October 30, 2023

    A doctor who’s guarded her heart for so long. A hospital billionaire determined to break down her walls. And secrets that could destroy everything…

    Driven Alicia Montgomery is managing her busy life as best as she can, both as a star medical resident at the prestigious Dexington Medical Center and as a guardian for her sick niece. But when an expensive experimental treatment becomes the only way to save her niece’s life, and a chance to win a sizable monetary prize after presenting at a hospital symposium arises, Alicia jumps at the opportunity. Only she has to co-present with Blake Dexington. Her new enemy. A handsome doctor who seems set on infuriating her at every turn! Billionaire doctor Blake Dexington has to win the hospital board’s approval to take over his father’s position as CEO, and presenting at the upcoming hospital symposium, with the board members in attendance, would be his best move. Yet he has to do so with Alicia, the beautiful, smart doctor he can’t stop thinking about, even though love should be the last thing on his mind. As they’re forced to work together, would they give in to love, or would their secrets destroy any chance at a happily ever after? The author’s “warning” to the reader about this book:

    “This sweet enemies-to-lovers romance will send you on a tender, heartwarming ride filled with unexpected twists and surprising secrets. Side effects can occur if you’re allergic to all-the-feels, strong heroines, and swoon-worthy doctor heroes.”
    Dobi Daniels
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Patriot by Jennifer Millikin

    September 15, 2023

    I’m a soldier. A cattle rancher. A Hayden.

    My family’s legacy is spread out in front of me, just waiting for me to seize it. If it weren’t for one outdated rule, I’d be the owner of the Hayden Cattle Company and my aging father could retire. When Dakota Wright shows up to buy and develop twenty acres of Hayden land, I see more than a pretty mouth and strawberry blonde hair. I see a way around the decree keeping me from getting what I want. And, as luck would have it, Dakota has a big problem of her own. We strike two deals: one for the land, and a second that’ll make both our problems a distant memory. It isn’t too long before I realize I’m in over my head. I’ve convinced myself the ends should justify the means, but everything begins to fall apart when my birthright is no longer all that I’m after. I never thought there’d be anything I could love more than my ranch and my country. I was wrong. Turns out, I want it all. Including her.

    A 5-star review:

    “Throughout the whole book, I could see a change in both Dakota and Wes gradually and see this beautiful relationship evolve from the hurt and anger of being left alone to something inseparable and worth fight for! I highly recommend this fast paced story about second chances and taking risks in life.”
    Lauren frm Lala’s book reviews
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Pride of Jared MacKade by Nora Roberts

    September 1, 2023

    For Jared, would it be cold pride – or warm bride?

    Jared MacKade always fights for what’s right. As a kid he was competitive, and that spirit has continued in his career as an attorney. So when a challenge arrives in the form of stubborn single mother Savannah Morningstar, Jared won’t be deterred by her cool and defensive attitude—quite the opposite. Jared is drawn in by the strong woman, and though Savannah is prepared to keep her guard up, Jared knows what he wants. Not only is he interested in Savannah, he’s grown to love her son too. The former bad boy has always longed for a family of his own, and now that he’s found the one woman he wants to come home to, Jared is ready to shed his pride and take a chance on love.

    A 5-star review:

    “I loved this book and it was all because of Savannah. Usually the heroines in romance books are indirect and too willing to be led by the man. When the hero is the one directing all the action because he makes the moves, initiates things, and so on, I get tired of the heroine. Savannah wasn’t that kind of heroine. She was determined, bad tempered at times – but also warm . The balance between her being temperamental and reasonable enough to apologize was excellent.”
    Kelly Kleeb – Goodreads
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Island House by Elana Johnson

    August 2, 2023

    Charlotte Madsen’s whole world came crashing down six months ago with the words, “I met someone else.”

    Thirty-seven, recently divorced, and childless. That’s Charlotte when she disembarks from the plane in Getaway Bay. She thought the best way to do that was to buy a run-down house overlooking the bay. She’s hoping as she overhauls the house, she’ll get a life makeover too. She was not expecting a tall, handsome man to be under the kitchen sink when she arrives at the supposedly abandoned house. And she certainly wasn’t expecting her heart to be well enough to feel anything for anyone. But former Air Force pilot, Dawson Dane, has a charming devil-may-care personality, and Charlotte could use some carefree laughter in her life. But everything with Dawson isn’t sunshine and unicorns. He’s estranged from his family, though he does speak to one of his brothers. And he’s never committed to anything except his career, even choosing flying over an engagement years ago. Can Charlotte navigate the healing process as she renovates the island house? Can Dawson finally make a commitment to a woman? Or will he and Charlotte decide a relationship is just too hard?

    A 5-star review:

    “This was such a sweet story about starting over when the life you knew is no longer yours… I really enjoyed watching this pair as they healed from those old open wounds and learned to trust one another and themselves. Remember, no matter where you go, there you are. You may be able to run from your life and problems for a time, but you can’t hide from yourself forever.”
    Kristen Lewendon–Goodreads
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    I Want to Hold your Hand by Marie Force

    June 23, 2023

    For the Abbott siblings, the Green Mountain state has always been an idyllic place to call home. But it isn’t until they open themselves up to love that they’ll truly discover how fulfilling life can be…

    Almost seven years after losing her husband in Iraq, Hannah Abbott Guthrie isn’t sure she’s ready—or able—to move on, but the attentions of a lifelong friend are making her think about it for the first time. The memory of the sweet kiss she shared with Nolan Roberts hasn’t strayed far from her thoughts, but she also fears that pursuing something with him would mean betraying her husband’s memory. Nolan has loved Hannah for years, but he’d been giving her the space she needed to heal from her devastating loss. Now, when an opportunity arises to show her how he feels, Nolan can’t resist, but he knows earning her love will take more than a kiss. Somehow he has to prove to Hannah that finding love twice in a lifetime is possible—and well worth risking her heart. The author’s favorite inspirational quote:

    “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.“
    Calvin Coolidge
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Problem with Planning by Claire Cain

    May 5, 2023

    Single dad. Divorcé. Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. She’s got a plan for love, and it’s not him.

    Livie Anderson’s got a plan for her life and she’s on track for her next step. The last three years traveling Europe and working on a US Army base helped her experience all the adventure she wanted before she settles down in one place and stops the nomadic life. Now, her deadline to return home and start a family is fast approaching and there’s a wrench in her perfect plans. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Wolfe came into her life and it’s getting hard to picture leaving this world behind—but the Army life is the opposite of what she’s always planned for.

    Eric can’t deny his interest in Livie, which is monumental in itself considering his total disinterest in everyone since his divorce three years ago. Despite his efforts to remain just friends, he can’t resist Livie’s pull—her joy, love for life, and genuine way of dealing with people. But he can’t see a way to be with her without subjecting her to the military life that ruined his first marriage, and Livie’s leaving anyway, so why can’t he bring himself to let go?

    Their lives are too different, and their plans don’t match. They definitely shouldn’t date, and they certainly shouldn’t develop feelings. Too bad neither one of them can seem to stay away.

    The author’s view on setting goals:

    “I tend to make goals for every aspect of my life, and sometimes that’s overwhelming, but usually it gives me peace of mind—I feel focused when we get back to work and the routine crushes in. Some things fall by the wayside, but I view that as clarifying more than anything. I’d argue it’s ok to set a goal that you fail to attain—failure isn’t what keeps us from succeeding at accomplishing our goals. As so many smart minds tell us, never starting is the bigger issue.”
    Claire Cain
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    The Sweet Talker by Gina Azzi

    April 5, 2023

    I’ve sworn off hockey players. Until the pregnancy test turns pink.

    Noah Scotch is revered in Boston, a veritable god on the ice. I’m a nerdy, newly minted college professor who would rather color code my planner than hit the club scene. Noah shouldn’t look at me twice but when he does, I falter. Who can blame me? The sweet talker with the deliciously chiseled abs and sinful chocolate eyes is a force. On and off the ice. One hot and intense night with Noah has me second guessing my lack of a dating life. Growing up in a hockey family, I know better than to get serious with a player. But the more time I spend getting to know Noah, the more my intention to keep things casual rings false. Now, I’ve got a hopeful heart and a baby on the way. I just need to tell Noah. But when I do, will I end up with everything I never knew I wanted? Or on my own? A  review of the novel:

    “Indy is a great character: smart, driven, focused and still fun. Noah is super sweet and funny, so I liked them both immediately. The supporting cast is Indy’s family, Noah’s brother and other players for the Boston Hawks and I liked them all. They set up the next story in the series well and make me want to read the next one. This is a low-angst, HEA story with real heart and lots of laughs. I highly recommend it.” Daisy Knox
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

    February 24, 2023

    A breathtaking new love story about a woman unexpectedly forced to choose between the husband she has long thought dead and the fiancé who has finally brought her back to life.

    In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and the people of their hometown in Massachusetts. They travel the world together, living life to the fullest and seizing every opportunity for adventure. On their first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Just like that, Jesse is gone forever. Emma quits her job and moves home in an effort to put her life back together. Years later, now in her thirties, Emma runs into an old friend, Sam, and finds herself falling in love again. When Emma and Sam get engaged, it feels like Emma’s second chance at happiness. That is, until Jesse is found. He’s alive, and he’s been trying all these years to come home to her. With a husband and a fiancé, Emma has to now figure out who she is and what she wants, while trying to protect the ones she loves. Who is her one true love? What does it mean to love truly? The author on her inspiration for the novel:

    “I really wanted to write about an impossible situation. A woman who has to choose between the husband she thought she lost and the fiancé who has made her believe in love again felt pretty impossible to me. I kept asking my friends, ‘If this happened to you, what would you do?’ The fact that no one had an answer felt like a great place to start a book.” Taylor Jenkins Reid
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  • Best Contemporary Romance Novels

    Summer in Sweetbriar Cove by Melody Grace

    January 5, 2023

    Two novels in one, Summer un Sweetbriar Cove takes you to the charming small town on Cape Cod that’s home to friendship, laughter, and feel-good romance. 

    In MEANT TO BE, a runaway bride goes in search of true love on Cape Cod. Romance author Poppy Somerville is hiding out at her aunt’s beach house after calling off her wedding. Handsome next-door-neighbor Cooper is soon keeping her up all night – in more ways than one – but can the couple find a way to heal from past heartache and write a new happily-ever-after? In ALL FOR YOU, pastry chef Summer Bloom is opening her dream bakery in Sweetbriar Cove — much to the dismay of local bookstore owner/landlord Grayson Reid. He’s learned the hard way that a woman can turn your whole world upside down, but Summer’s kisses – and those chocolate croissants – are too tempting to ignore. Can this headstrong pair mix the right ingredients for love? The author on writing about writing in the new adult genre:

    “New adult is about the time when your choices create the world you live in. The relationships you have in your late teens and early twenties are the ones you remember for the rest of your life: everything is intense and new, but has so much consequence too. That vivid, crazy emotion is so much fun to write, and it’s been an amazing challenge to explore the adult side of relationships too.”
    Melody Grace
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