Review: Be My Endgame

Be My Endgame by Zarah Detand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex Beaufort plays for Liverpool Rovers as a midfielder, son of a Lord he is handsome and charming with a posh accent. He and his parents are at odds, his father thinks Alex should forget playing soccer, which isn't a suitable game for an aristocrat, and get involved in politics. Oh and his father thinks Alex's bisexuality is just a phase (probably to be interesting) and wants him to settle down with a suitable woman from their circles. Alex hasn't told anyone he is bisexual, not even his BFF Jeff, another Liverpool Rovers player, despite Jeff having a gay brother.

Lee Taylor, is Manchester Athletic's top striker, two years older than Alex, the son of a woman with mental health issues, he has had to step up and act as father to his two younger sisters from a very early age after their father walked out on them and his mother couldn't cope. While he was playing football in Italy he was in a relationship with a man, but since returning to the UK he hasn't felt comfortable divulging his sexuality to anyone other than his BFF Oliver, Manchester Athletic's goalkeeper.

The two men met at training camp just before Lee got called up to Manchester Athletic (BTW I guess for legal reasons they can't use the real club names but it really jars) and a chance remark was misinterpreted. Since then they have been adversaries.

When Lee, Oliver, Jeff, and Alex get called up to England's World Cup team for training, the coach's ethos is clear, the players must become a team and resolve all differences, so he forces Lee and Alex to room together and pair up for all one-on-one training sessions.

I have to say I really enjoyed this enemies to love sports romance. Great characters, good pace, lovely love story. I just loved Lee and Alex. Can't wait to read more by Zara Detand.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Available on Kindle Unlimited.

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Review: International Relations

International Relations by Zac Hammett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Max is in the running for a promotion to an overseas role as an ambassador (at least ambassador adjacent), but he has been advised that candidates with a stable relationship will fare better. Since Max hasn't had time to date, devoting all his time to his job, his dog, and his dad, this could be a deal-breaker, especially since his closest rival is posh and has the perfect girlfriend.

Hunter is an American actor. His last relationship exploded so spectacularly, due to his boyfriend's jealousy of Hunter's success, that he had to move to the UK to find work. But now his visa is expiring and unless he can find someone to marry him pronto, he'll be deported.

Max approaches Hunter's agent to find him a fake boyfriend to get him through the interviews and she suggests Hunter. The next thing you know, there's a wedding, a weekend at Chevening where candidates are put through their paces, and interviews whilst simultaneously trying to convince the authorities that this is a genuine marriage.

This was pleasant enough but it didn't really grab me, it felt like it wanted to be funnier than it was. Also there were so many characters (eg Hunter's agent Doily and even Max's dad) that in comparison Max and Hunter felt a bit two-dimensional.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: A Perfect Summer in Starshine Cove

A Perfect Summer in Starshine Cove by Debbie Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Suzie never really fit in at home she takes after her mother who wandered Europe in a camper van before finding her true love in Starshine Cove, all she wanted to do was leave while her big brother and little sister loved it there and made a home. The last time Suzie came home was to nurse her mother through her terminal cancer, but after that she couldn't go back, not even for the funerals of her siblings.

But now, at forty-three she's coming home, or at least she thinks she is, presently she's stuck up a tree thinking this used to be easier and procrastinating, because what will her father George say? What about her brother-in-law Aiden? Her sister-in-law Connie? Her nieces and nephews? Will they blame her for staying away so long, for not being there at the time of unimaginable tragedy? In the midst of her procrastination a voice calls up asking if she needs help.

Guy is also procrastinating, he's come to meet someone at Starshine Cove he hasn't seen for many years and he has no idea what reception he will receive. He is very similar to Suzie, first the army then volunteering for NGOs all over the world, he gets itchy feet and doesn't like to stay in one place for long. These two wanderers really want to stay in Starshine Cove this time, but fate might have other ideas and a few surprises up her sleeve.

This is standard Debbie Johnson/Starshine Cove, a small village where everyone pulls together and is in everyone's business, some tragedy and some laughter, lots of cake, a fair amount of booze, and love. If you liked the others, you'll like this one. If you haven't read any before you can start here and if you enjoy small-town romances with quirky characters this is right up your street.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: The Paris Match

The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Since her divorce, Layla has immersed herself in her job as an itinerant medicalist (nope, not a scooby) covering sick and parental leave for months on end in different parts of the USA, the other thing she's done is avoid her former in-laws, and sister-in-law as much as possible, but when her former sister-in-law begs her to come to Paris for her destination wedding, citing 'you promised', she knows she can't avoid them any longer. She meticulously plans which activities she will attend (max 50%) and which outfits she will wear, erring on the bland and beige part of the colour spectrum.

But after the first night out with the bride to be and her chaotic BFF she learns from the cold and snooty Best Man that 'apparently' something Layla said has caused the bride to have cold feet ... and Layla needs to fix this STAT.

Griffin is the groom's best man, it has taken a lot to get him to leave the house and board a plane to France, but he would do anything for his childhood BFF, including paying for most of this wedding, and he is determined that the wedding will go ahead, he's not going to let some bitter ex-wife mess things up. But that might be easier said than done, especially when Layla's ex-husband turns up with his much younger new girlfriend, the groom's parents clearly dislike the Best Man, the bride's mother is passive-aggressive commenting on everyone's clothes, hair, make-up, and need for plastic surgery, the Maid of Honour is getting off with the limo driver, and all the guests are looking pityingly at Layla, wondering how she's coping.

Together Griff and Layla run interference, smoothing over issues, removing awkward moments, and generally getting things on track. But there are plenty of secrets bubbling under and everyone knows a wedding is a time for copious alcohol and regrets.

OMG the angst, it just rolled on and on and on. Why does Griffin feel he needs to do everything for the groom? Why does Layla feel she has to appease her ex-husband's family? Why are they both so pathetic? Other reviews have commented that this is an homage to Paris but I beg to differ, it's just pain and guilt and angst and DRA-MA, it put me off ever wanting to visit Paris.

If you like your romance angst-ridden, dripping with pain and guilt where everyone else is remarkably self-centred and obtuse then this is definitely one for you.


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Review: And Then There Was You

And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Chloe Fairway had high hopes when she was a student at Oxford, an aspiring actress and writer she dreamed of a career in Hollywood, or at least TV. Instead she is a PA in a small publishing house for a boss who seems to think she's a dogsbody. Also, since finally leaving her controlling boyfriend of two years, Chloe is stuck back living with her parents.

When she gets an invitation to the ten year college reunion Chloe doesn't want to go. Her contemporaries seem to all live charmed lives, one married to a professional tennis player, another with two million followers on Insta, another a famous Hollywood director, and yet another a famous musician. Then she runs into an old acquaintance that she barely recognises, the woman has turned from a frumpy dowd into a vibrant attractive woman, and she owes it al to a mysterious exclusive dating agency. In desperation Chloe agrees to join the agency and meets Rob, the man of her dreams, he couldn't be any more perfect for Chloe - everything she ever wanted in a man. Except one thing.

This was fun, an off-the-wall concept, and a cute romance. I'll say no more.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: Murder in Rome

Murder in Rome by T.A. Williams
My rating: 0 of 5 stars

Dan Armstrong, former Met police detective turned Private Eye and aspiring author of detective novels, is approached by an English actress, her wealthy uncle has fallen to his death from the tower of his holiday castle just outside Rome, the local police suspect an accident or suicide but she is convinced he was murdered. Dan agrees to travel to Rome with his trusty side-kick Oscar (the Labrador) to investigate, but no sooner has he arrived than a second body is discovered, and this time there can be no doubt that he was murdered.

This appears to be an inside job, the castle is too well secured for a random stranger to be able to walk in and attack someone, moreover since neither victim seems to have defensive wounds it suggests the murderer is someone they know. The castle only had 13 occupants at the time of the first death. The deceased three sons, their three wives and one granddaughter, his only daughter and her boyfriend, his PA, the chef, the housekeeper, and the part-time gardener. But what could be the motive? Could the missing will have something to do with it?

Mr Williams does well to suggest two likely suspects and he kept me guessing right to the end, but once explained the clues were there, dropped like little breadcrumbs for the reader to spot.

Anyway, another lovely cosy mystery complete with marvellous descriptions of the fabulous meals served at the castle.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: The Bones of Logan Rock

The Bones of Logan Rock by Sally Rigby
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An archaeological dig in Cornwall finds human bones, unfortunately they aren't ancient Roman remains, these bones are only 30 years old.

Detective Inspector Lauren Pengelly and Detective Sergeant Matt Price soon discover the bones belong to a sixteen year old girl, who the Police previously believed had run away from home. Instead, she died at a Summer Solstice beach party in 1996.

What is even stranger is that several of the archaeologists working on the site were also at that party in 1996, being students at the nearby university. Then another body is found. Coincidence? Suicide? Murder?

This was yet another enjoyable mystery for Lauren and Matt, my niggles about her abrasiveness and his too-good-to-be trueness are assuaged - none of that here.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

Available on Kindle Unlimited.

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Review: Wedding Manner

Wedding Manner by C.G. Macington
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Ice King and the Trauma Cowboy are getting married but Mommie Dearest is determined to make the whole thing a production, despite Max and Jax wanting a small, quiet affair.

Watch as Catherine buys an airline to stop them eloping (and that is just the start), discover what Alistair has been hiding, laugh at the hen weekend group, marvel at the lengths Preston will go to in order to protect Max.

Pleasant enough finale that wraps up the stories. I wouldn't read as a stand-alone, it's madcap and totally bonkers.

Read on mu Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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Review: Second Helpings

Second Helpings by Dylan Morrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Sam Adelson is struggling to keep his family-owned restaurant, Silverman's Deli, open after a vicious review by a famous restaurant critic. more known for bringing down Michelin-starred restaurants than 75 year-old delis in Cleveland. The worst of it is that Sam knows most, if not all, of the review is lies, he's scoured the receipts and there is no record of anyone ordering the particular combination of dishes that were reviewed. Furthermore, he knows there aren't rats or cockroaches.

Then one day a blast from Sam's past walks in the door. Jake Thompson. Sam's childhood sweetheart. A man Sam hasn't seen or heard from in over ten years, although Sam may have cyber-stalked Jake a little in that time. But rather than attack Sam for what happened all those years ago Jake seems more inclined to want to be friends ... or maybe more.

Gradually the reader learns what happened all those years ago, can this couple get over the events of the past and make a life together?

I really enjoyed this, I liked Sam and Jake, but I felt the inevitable conflict was obvious from the start which is why this is a three and a half star review.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: A Twist in the River

A Twist in the River by Stig Abell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

A woman goes missing beside the river, local residents and true crime podcast aficionados gather to help search for Claire, hoping desperately that she will be found alive.

A few days later Jake finds a woman's naked body in the river ... but it isn't Claire's. Soon the body count mounts but it is still unclear whether the women have been murdered or if they have coincidentally died of natural causes, because there are no signs of struggle, violence, or drugs in their systems.

Can Jake and his trusty team of sleuths solve the mystery?

As a serial moaner I have previously moaned about Jake's gang turning into Slough House, lurid descriptions of Livia's body and random descriptions of people's clothing for no reason. I am glad to say none of these pet peeves registered this time. Also, I didn't guess the culprit's identity until close to the end ... suddenly a few clues came together and I was just a few pages ahead of the reveal.

Overall, I enjoyed this mystery.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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Review: Her Slap Shot

Her Slap Shot by Emma Kate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Three and a half stars.

Finley Blake is the first woman to ever be appointed head coach in professional hockey, and yes her dad is a big name in the industry but she earned her spot at Denver Yeti the hard way. Her ethos is all about accountability, don't lie about your fitness, don't hide injuries etc.

Beckett Kane is running out of time, yes he's won the league but he wants to lift that trophy with the captain's C on his jersey but his hip is causing him more and more difficulties, when he gets traded mid-season to the Denver Yeti it just makes everything harder.

Finley was against trading for Blake, even though she had been lobbying hard for a veteran defenseman to shore up their team, partly because he was her teenage crush, even helped her with her slap shot on one memorable afternoon, but she is overruled.

There is an instant attraction, but Finley knows the eyes of North America are on her, just one slip-up will have repercussions for all women in the industry, and Blake gets that.

I was enjoying this, the Yeti's PR team cook up a competition where players and staff are paired up to compete in a series of challenges, winners choose the charity the Yeti will support for the year. Of course Finley and Blake are paired up (although I think it would have been better if they were rivals) and end up spending a lot of time together practicing their 'talents' for the talent show, learning all about each other in a Mr and Mrs style quiz etc, and the attraction just keeps growing. So far so good.

What knocked this down from a four star to a three and a half were the smexy scenes. Just ick, ick, ick for me. Don't talk about her pretty p*ssy, call her a good girl and start trying to order her about on the first time - just no. There was just a whole chapter of me going ick ick ick. Luckily (for me) that was pretty much it. Overall, it felt like this was wedged in to meet some kind of spicy quotient and it didn't really mix with the rest of the book.

There's a bit of family angst with Finley's dad, and a bit of noble self-sacrifice, but I could live with that.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

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