Perfect (Mis)Match (Manhattan Bossholes Book 1) by Leslie North Narrated by Abigail Reno , Christopher Ashman

 

A Grumpy Sunshine Billionaire Boss Romance 

Some people get meet-cutes. I get a meet-crash.

When Vincent Forde rear-ends my car, I expect an apology—instead he tosses me a scowl that could melt steel and acts like I’m the problem.

Charming, right?

With his designer suit, smoldering glare, and ego the size of his bank account, Vincent is the very definition of an entitled bosshole.
I figure that’s the last I’ll ever see of Mr. Too-Rich-and-Ridiculously-Handsome.

Except life loves a good punchline.

Guess who struts into my brother’s engagement party like he owns the place?
Yeah, it’s Mr. I’m-Too-Sexy-To-Drive-Properly, lounging by the bar like he’s posing for GQ.
I think I hate him.

Only now, there’s something he wants from me.
There’s a rare perfume ingredient he desperately needs for his fragrance empire.
And Lord of the Scowl is willing to pay me ridiculous money to help get it.

Oh, and he also wants me to pretend to be his girlfriend.
As if there’s anything remotely boyfriend-material about him.
Vincent might be the king of the scowl and a walking ego trip, but he’s offering me a deal I can’t refuse.

Even if it means pretending to like the guy who drives me insane.
The more we fake it, though, the more the line between acting and real starts to blur. His charm is aggravating. His confidence is infuriating. His smile is entirely too distracting.

This wasn’t part of the plan. I’m supposed to hate him, not want him. But pretending to be his perfect match is starting to feel all too real...

Perfect (Mis)Match is a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance packed with sharp banter, fiery chemistry, and all your favorite tropes: billionaire bosshole, fake relationship, and brother’s best friend. With a grumpy, guarded hero and a heroine who’s more than ready to knock him down a peg, get ready for the perfect storm of wit, tension, and heart-stopping twists.

Perfect Mismatch is a fun and engaging read that blends humour, sizzling chemistry, and heartwarming moments. The classic romance tropes of grumpy sunshine, billionaire boss, enemies-to-lovers, and fake relationship made this a delightful escapist read.

I was instantly smitten by Piper and Vincent when they crashed into each other while parking and ended up bickering over it. Vincent came across as a rich, entitled jerk, and I couldn't wait for Piper to straighten him out.
There was a wonderful side cast of characters, and Piper and Vincent's relationships with their friends and family was heartwarming. I had more sympathy for both characters after learning how they had been influenced growing up.
Perfect Mismatch has a satisfying character arc. Vincent and Piper undergo significant personal growth throughout the story. Vincent completely changes his way of thinking about love and marriage. Piper learns to stand up for herself and see her own worth in relationships. I got great satisfaction in seeing her deal with her ex-boyfriend towards the end of the book.
Overall, this was a sweet and funny romantic comedy. I loved the dual narration, although I prefer it when the male narrator performs the male lead for the entire book rather than a chapter about.

purchase link

Audible UK

Death at Darrington Manor (An Abigail Dixon Mystery, Book 2) by Nancy Warren Narrated by Katie Beudert

 

When intrepid reporter Abigail Dixon swaps Paris for an English manor to cover the wedding of the year, she expects afternoon tea on the lawn and cocktails in the drawing room, not a man lying dead in a stream and a woman strangled by her own silk stockings.

Spring 1925. Abigail Dixon arrives in Somerset to report on the high-society wedding of an American car tycoon’s son and an English aristocrat’s daughter. But when a man is murdered on a trout-fishing expedition, and the quaint village abuzz with gossip of a local woman discovered dead in London, Abigail quickly finds herself entangled in a web of murder and scandal.

As she investigates, Abigail unearths some dark secrets lurking within Darrington Manor and clues linking the two murders. From the lovelorn estate manager to a tight-lipped butler and local mechanic with an axe to grind, everyone is a possible suspect.

Determined to expose the culprit, and with danger lurking at every turn, can Abigail unveil the truth before the ‘wedding of the year’ becomes the obituary column?

Fans of Agatha Christie and Downton Abbey will devour this page-turning 1920s whodunit brimming with twists, red herrings, and charming period detail.

A 1920's society wedding becomes a hotbed of scandal and murder in the second instalment of the Abigail Dixon Mysteries. Abigail has swapped Paris for London to cover the wedding thinking it will be a simple little puff piece and not worth her time. However things take an unexpected turn when a man is murdered and a local woman is found dead in London.

I love how Abigail can't help but investigate and turn her puff piece into front page news.

This is a very cleverly plotted out murder mystery and I found it intriguing and difficult to put down. The suspense built steadily all the way to the end. Listening to the audiobook enhanced my enjoyment as the characters really came to life.

I love the historical backdrop of the story. I'm unable to resist a 1920s set mystery and the ambiance of the period blended with a compelling mystery ticked the boxes for me.

The strong likeable characters, the touch of humour and romance and the well paced narrative ensured me of an enteraining read.

Death at Darringtom manor can be read as a standalone but you'll be missing out on some of Abigail's backstory if you skip Murder at the Paris Fashion House.

Find the series on Audible UK

Amazon UK

Searching for Justice (Redwood Coast Rescue Book 3) by Tonya Burrows Narrated by Stephen Borne

 He’s a grumpy lawman who lives by the book.

Sheriff Ash Rawlings values order and structure above all else. He doesn’t have time for distractions, especially not now, since his new K9 partner, Dante, has a nose for trouble. But when the vivacious and rebellious Rose Galasso bursts back into his life, challenging his every move, he finds himself both irritated and captivated. She’s wild, unpredictable, and dangerously attractive.

She’s a free spirit who doesn’t play by the rules.

The last person Rose wants to be tangled up with is the uptight sheriff who ruined her life, and their intense dislike for each other is evident to anyone within earshot. But when a wildfire uncovers a woman’s body, they’re drawn together by the cold case that has haunted them both for years. And when Rose’s ties to the victim put her in a killer's crosshairs, Ash and Dante have their work cut out for them to keep her safe.

They're enemies with a common goal: justice.

As the threat escalates, Ash and Rose must face their turbulent history if they want to survive. But can they learn to trust the enemy before it’s too late?

Searching for Justice is the third book in the Redwood Coast Rescue romantic suspense series by Tonya Burrows, but can be read as a standalone. If you crave an electrifying enemies-to-lovers romance with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this gripping adventure is a must-read.

A steamy enemies-to-lovers romantic suspense in the third instalment of the Redwood Coast Rescue series.
It wouldn't be a day well spent for Ash and Rose if they didn't find time to wind each other up.
Ash is a grumpy, by-the-book lawman with hidden depths who delights in threatening Rose with shutting down her pub. Rose is feisty and independent and takes no nonsense from Ash, giving as good as she gets.
When Ash finds Rose after her kidnapping, he is compelled to stay with her and help her recover and find those responsible. The development of their relationship from animosity to love is a central and enjoyable aspect of the book for me. Their backstory explains why Rose dislikes Ash so much and why they have the relationship they do.
This is quite an emotional story as it involves the historical murder of Rose's mother and the impact that had on her growing up. The loss of a mother and father practically overnight had a long-reaching impact on her.
I liked all the secondary characters, but particularly loved how the locals in the support group took her under their wing when she was struggling to cope with the trauma of her abduction.
The story has many twists and turns that kept my interest piqued and I was completely taken aback by how the story unravelled in the end. I thought I had it all figured out until the author pulled the rug right under me. A great read all the way through.

Excellent narration, easy to listen and get lost in the story.

 

Audible UK

A Legend in the Baking (Sugar Blitz #2) by Jamie Wesley

 

After accidentally going viral on social media, a cupcake-baking football player gets assistance from a social media maven—and his best friend's little sister—to help promote his new bakery.

August Hodges was supposed to be the silent partner in Sugar Blitz Cupcakes. Emphasis on silent. That is until his impromptu feminist rant about how women bakers are the backbone of the industry and baking cupcakes isn’t a threat to masculinity goes viral, making him the hottest bachelor in town. With a new location in the works, August and his partners decide to capitalize on this perfect opportunity to help cement their place in the community. But the hiring of his best friend’s younger sister, the woman who has haunted some of his best dreams for years, was as much of a shock as his new-found fame.

Social media manager Sloane Dell fell hard for her brother’s best friend the moment she met him more than a decade ago, but that teenage infatuation cost her dearly. Still, she accepts her brother’s request to revamp the bakery’s social media presence to take advantage of August’s newfound popularity, knowing it’s the big break her fledgling career needs. She’ll just ignore the fact that August is still August, i.e. sexier and sweeter than any man has a right to be. And that he drives her crazy with his resistance to all her ideas.

They vow to leave the past in the past. But when an explosive make-out session makes it clear their attraction burns hotter than ever, Sloane and August are forced to reconsider what it means to take a risk and chase your dreams.

As they’re both about to find out, all’s fair in love and cupcakes.

A Legend in the Baking is a cute and charming second-chance romance with plenty of warmth and sweetness. Jamie Wesley delivers a delightful story about a former football player turned baker and his best friend's sister, a social media manager. Sloane and August had a close friendship when they were younger, spending a lot of time talking late at night on the phone.  I didn't like that he encouraged this when he had a girlfriend, and it was inevitable that Sloane's feelings would get hurt. Fast forward some years, divorced and faced with the prospect of working closely with Sloane as she is in charge of the social media campaign for the cupcake shop.

I liked how he jumped right in to complete all the social media tasks even though it made him very uncomfortable and he made the effort to support Sloane despite her initial lukewarm response to him.

The chemistry and personal growth of the main characters make this an enjoyable read, especially if you love a slow burn with a happy ending. Plus, who can resist a romance centred around a cupcake bakery?

Amazon

Taken to the Grave (Bow Street Duchess Mystery Book 7) by Cara Devlin

 

The Bow Street Duchess Mystery series comes to a thrilling conclusion in the seventh and final book, Taken to the Grave.

As Audrey Sinclair reaches the end of her mourning period, she and Hugh Marsden, the Viscount Neatham, are at long last looking toward their future together — and hoping for a respite from the dangerous criminal investigations they’ve found themselves entrenched in.

However, when the niece of Bow Street’s chief magistrate Sir Gabriel Poston goes missing, and Audrey and Hugh link her disappearance to a stirring public panic over suspicious deaths at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, they agree to one final inquiry...

I am sad that this is Audrey and Hugh's final investigation, but I am excited to read Cassie and Thornton's story next and the new Spencer and Reid series.

Taken to the Grave gives a satisfying and thrilling conclusion to the Bow Street Duchess Mystery series. I have enjoyed every single book and recommend reading them in order rather than as standalone.

Taken to the Grave is slightly darker than usual and has a compelling mystery linked to a secret society. 

Audrey and Hugh are also busy making plans for their future, and it is nice to see all those little details, such as where they'll live, take shape. The epilogue gives a glimpse into their happy future. 

 This final instalment delivers the expected intrigue and romance that fans of the series will enjoy. It's a fitting end, wrapping up the series nicely while still providing a gripping read.

Purchase link

Amazon UK

Mahina (A Hawaiian Mafia Romance Book 1) by Nalani Titcomb

 

Two families – One follows the letter of the law, and the other… doesn’t. But somehow, they’ve made it work. Neighbors and friends. Bound by past generations of honor, trust, and even love.
~~~
As children, Mahina Tillman and Zeb Lehua were inseparable. Zeb was a protector. Her protector. Her best friend.
But then one day, he wasn’t.

Mahina had loved Zeb more than she ever thought was possible. But when he left, she was forced to move on with her life. And she did.

But now he’s back and things are… complicated.

Zeb walked away from Mahina, but she’d never been far from his thoughts. Or his heart. He’s finally returned home—after being gone for nearly two decades—and things aren’t always what they seem.

What do you do when the love of your life has moved on?

What happens if she needs you, when there’s literally no one else she can turn to?

Zeb Lehua would burn the world down for Mahina Tillman. And this is only the beginning.

~~

Mahina is the first book in the Hawaiian Mafia Romance series and ends on a cliffhanger. The books should be read in order for the best experience. All books are full length novels.

Mahina is predominantly a family drama about a marriage breakdown that spirals into domestic abuse. The slow-burn romance between Mahina and Zeb is the simmering undercurrent running through the story. I liked the dual point of view as it gave some insight into their relationship, but I felt that either their backstory or their renewed friendship could have been developed more.
My favourite relationship in this book is the one between Mahina and her son Ben, who is growing up to be a fine and respectful young man despite having a father who practically ignores him. I liked how Zeb and Ben interacted and bonded through surfing, developing their own friendship independent of Mahina.
There were a few instances when Mahina annoyed me a little. She made a couple of risky decisions, putting her in precarious situations.
The book is labelled as a mafia romance, but it is surprisingly light on mafia-related activities, concentrating instead on Mahina's family life. The twist at the end was a nice touch, making the story end on a cliffhanger and intriguing me enough to want to find out what happens next.

Available in paperback and ebook Amazon UK 

The author's  TikTok Shop (not available in Ireland)

Buy direct from the author's website https://www.nalanititcomb.com/shop

The Last Raven by Helen Glynn Jones narrated by Jane Fox

 

 

Description

I’ll be forced to take the crown, simply because of who my parents are. Never mind that my skin, my eyes, the way I move, everything will give me away for what I am.

Human.

In a world ruled by vampires.

As sole heir to the House of Raven, there is nothing Emelia can’t have. The only problem is, she doesn’t want it.

But when the mysterious Kyle enters her closed-off existence, she sees a way out. As rebellion and dark forces swirl around her, Emelia has a choice to make – leave everyone she loves behind, or stay and accept her destiny…

The Last Raven is a vampire romance novel set in a world where vampires rule, and humans are oppressed and regarded simply as food. The story follows Emelia Raven, a human girl born to vampire parents, destined to inherit their powerful house.
Emelia is kept in isolation to protect her until she comes of age. When a new guard, Kyle, enters her life, she begins to see a potential escape from her predetermined path. They both find each other quite annoying initially, and I wasn't sure how trustworthy Kyle was to begin with.
He teaches the naive Emilia about the realities of the world and how humans are being treated. there is talk of rebellion and she is torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing feelings for Kyle, and her desire for change.
This supernatural/vampire story has forbidden romance, political intrigue, and surprising plot twists that will appeal to those who are fans of the genre. This book is part of a series, so any unanswered questions readers have should be addressed in subsequent titles. I found that the ending made me want to read the next book to find out what happens next.
I enjoyed the audio narration of this book and felt that the narrator did an excellent job of performing the different types of characters and the emotions they were feeling.

The Kindle copy of this book is currently priced £1.08 on Amazon UK