Love on Deck. Ashleynicole. 2020. 35 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] Love on Deck is the second novella in the Luminous Cruise Chronicle series. This installment follows Raegan who is taking a solo vacation on a singles cruise. She’s looking to get her groove back, but there’s one wrench – the ex who ghosted her a year ago — is on the same cruise. Even better — they’re quarantined on the ship and his room is across from hers. As can be assumed, there is a bit of tension between the two. There are obviously some unresolved feelings about their relationship’s end. It seemed to just fall apart after three years, and it is quickly clear that neither is on the same page as the other about who is at fault for their break-up. More tension pops up by the nature of them being on the ship together — it’s clear that they’re both there to make a love (or lust) connection with other people, so how do they tip-toe around each other? I appreciated the continuity from the first book in this series, brought here through the mention of the previous book’s characters, as well as some who I assume…

Love Under Quarantine. Nicole Falls. 2020. 47 pages. [Source: Kindle Unlimited.] It’s hard to find anything wrong with a book when the author name-drops you — Mama, I made it. I’m biased, consider this my disclaimer that I absolutely recommend it. That being said, I think Love Under Quarantine is a perfect way to round out the Luminous Cruise Chronicles. It features the mostly-unseen cruise staff and gives an interesting romance alongside a behind-the-scenes look at the ship’s crew during a pandemic. Juliette is a cruise director who’s got a little more than something going on with the captain, Jenkins. They discreetly scratch each other’s itches, but she holds him at bay to spare herself from future, potential heartache. Instead, she’d rather keep it casual, getting it in when they’re together, and acting like she doesn’t care when they’re not. That can only work for so long, and the resulting tension pulls you in. Jules & Jenk have a playful, flirtatious banter that is fun to read. While they have their serious moments, I would describe them as laid back and it really comes through in most their scenes. Other characters are best described as voices of reason and comedic…