It’s The Chase For Me. Christina C. Jones. 2020. Warm Hues Creative. 90 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] You know that feeling when you keep running into someone you really are trying to escape? That’s January. And the guy she bumped into — and subsequently caused to spill coffee on himself — just keeps popping up everywhere around town. It wouldn’t be so terrible if they hadn’t had a one night stand and swore not to see each other again. It’s the Chase for Me is the perfect Halloween read to me. Jones released this at a time when daily life seems like a never-ending nightmare, so I appreciate the Halloween season without the spookiness. This definitely reads more as comedic romance, and easy to lose yourself in. Main characters Chase and January are relatable and so easy to laugh at. It reads almost like a series of unfortunate events in their lives, and while I want things to get sorted out, I absolutely laughed at their bad fate. Readers first glimpse of January was in Me + Somebody’s Son, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Her intro in this book isn’t quite glamorous, and somehow she’s off kilter throughout the rest of…

Loving MAN. Bailey West. 2020. 224 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Sometimes you just want to read something a little messy. The world outside my window is obviously imploding, so a bit of catharsis is always appreciated. The description for Loving MAN certainly supplied that — a pregnancy from a short-lived fling, and then another woman on top of that? Add in the food aspect, and I was ready to jump in. Loving MAN, at almost all turns, wasn’t what I expected. That’s not a bad thing, though. It’s usually easy to figure out a few of the plot points with certain tropes in romance, so I was prepared to adjust my expectations accordingly. However, West starts the book with significant bombshells, then takes the rest of the book in a direction that while unexpected, was appreciated. Xander and Angel are two lost souls. They share a passion that’s not about romance — food; he’s a renowned chef and she’s an internationally trained chocolatier. Life circumstances have pulled them both away the kitchen and have them questioning if they’ll find themselves back ever, let alone in the near future. And yes, this is a romance, so there’s obviously tension around their…

Come Inside. ShanicexLola. 2020. SXL Publications. 144 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Kiyah’s reputation as the office “Ice Queen” might be on shaky ground. After being tricked into attending her company’s masquerade party by her work BFF, she finds herself face to face with the man she lusts for across the board room table, Nixon. It’s certainly hard to turn down an open invitation to sate her curiosity, but then what? The rapport and banter between Nixon and Kiyah is matter-of-fact, which makes their flirting more entertaining. Neither really holds any of their cards, so the result is refreshing while still leaving something to be anticipated. It’s clear that Kiyah can’t help but give in to her more carnal desires where Nixon is concerned, but she’s reluctant to give in fully at the risk of heartbreak. This presents most of the conflict in the book because she’s rarely fully invested. Kiyah’s “Ice Queen” title is most certainly deserved; she’s a workaholic and only maintains superficial relationships with nearly everyone in her life. To that end, a lot of the book centered on her willingness and ability to lean more into life in general. She is still dealing with the emotional aftermath…

My Soul’s Reflection. AshleyNicole. 2020. 117 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] The Mason’s are back, this time crashing a tropical resort for some family fun. Mirror — or Kharon, one of the triplets — is ready for two weeks of relaxation and antics with his siblings and cousins. He’s up for a good time, but not expecting a connection with anyone. His stoic demeanor also makes him somewhat unapproachable or aloof — sometimes it’s hard to figure which. Irilin is rigid and, frankly, not particularly relatable. She’s all but forced on the vacation and still struggles to be present and enjoy paradise. More often than not, she’s got her head in her work computer, and is standoffish. That’s why when most of the Masons depart, and Irilin’s friends leave for home, it’s somewhat surprising that she opens up to Kharon at all. The two are a reflection of each other; neither is particularly expressive, though they do have a passionate connection. But when asked to look beyond the physical and put effort toward the other, they’re both challenged. Some of this stems from previous relationships; their conflict isn’t whether they’re interested, it’s about how interested and how much they can integrate…

Forbidden Promises. Synthia Williams. 2020. HQN Books. 270 pages. [Source: Personal copy.] This book was drama with a capital D. What else could it be, with one sister silently in love with her sister’s ex-husband? India is the baby of the Robidoux clan, a family whose legacy is rooted in a successful and long-lasting tobacco company. Family loyalty is held above all else and has dictated the lives of generations. India thought she’d escaped some of the weight of familial obligation by touring as an orchestra’s violinist, and is dismayed when a brief trip home turns into campaigning for her brother’s senate run. Further complicating things is having to share space with a man she’s loved — or lusted after — from afar, including while he was married to her older sister. Travis and India have chemistry that’s difficult to hide, both on a personal and physical level, and India finds herself in a constant struggle of whether to prioritize her sister’s feelings and family’s reputation or pursue what could be her true love. Despite India being the heroine of this story, the adjacent characters’ depth shows as well. Older sister Elaina is portrayed as cold and career-focused, but it’s…