The Engagement Party – Book Review

Title:- The Engagement Party

Author:- Darby Kane

Date published:- December 5th 2023

No. of pages:- 355 pages

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 3/5 Writing:- 2/5

Overall rating:- 2.5/5

And Then There Were None meets I Know What You Did Last Summer in #1 international bestseller Darby Kane’s latest gripping and twisty thriller set on a private island in Maine where secrets piled upon secrets and lies upon lies are all revealed in one fateful weekend.

Emily Hunt went missing from her affluent liberal arts school on graduation weekend. Her body was found floating in a river, and a quiet loner who most people on campus really didn’t know committed suicide. A tenuous link—one text—bound the two dead students together and was enough for law enforcement to close the case. But they got it wrong and now someone is determined to set it right.

Twelve years later, college friends gather to celebrate an engagement over a long overdue getaway on a swanky private island in Maine—with only one way in and one way out. Sierra Prescott, invited as a guest and unconnected to past events, is the only person who soon senses not all is what it seems.

The tension in the air is ignited when they find a dead man in the trunk of a car with a note: time to tell the truth. And things only get worse. As a torrential storm strands them together, the group’s buried stories begin to surface and secrets are bartered. To survive this deadly party, they’ll need to stop a killer before they become prey.

The Engagement Party follows the story of college friends who got involved with the murder of one of their friends, Emily. Now twelve years later, one of their friends is getting married and was invited for the party at a remote island. But when they reach the island, it seems that someone wants to dig the past and whoever wants to dig the past wants the friends to tell the truth about what happened the night Emily was murdered.

Darby Kanes Pretty Little Wife was great which prompted me to get all her latest books. However, the Engagement Party was a disappointment. The story lacked pacing, all the characters except for one of the main characters Sierra was quiet unlikable and annoying. The story is told in multiple POVs–Sierra, Ruthie, Alex with excerpts from the book that someone is writing about Emily’s murder. There were not many twists and turns, the story wasn’t executed well in my opinion. It’s a lockdown mystery but it could have been better if it was written well.

Sierra and Ruthie are the only ones who were not involved in the murder yet they both somehow become a part of the story. The story kind of dragged on and I almost lost interest in some part of the story.

As a result, this book is only worth 2.5 stars in my opinion.

The Italian Village in the Hills – ARC Book Review

Title:- The Italian Village in the Hills

Author:- Victoria Springfield

Date published:- will be published on 19th January 2026

No. of pages:- 298 pages

Genre:- Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5 Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

Stella has spent decades trying to forget the heartbreak that made her flee the Italian village of her childhood. But when her new fiancé surprises her with a trip back to Liguria for her upcoming birthday, she is forced to confront the past, her first love and a tragic family rift.

Amy is mourning her beloved grandpa and curious to know more about the old coin necklace and mysterious postcard that he left her. Following his trail to the Italian Riviera, a chance meeting leads Amy to Stella’s village in the hills and to secrets that have lain buried since the war.

Against a backdrop of cobbled medieval streets, sunlit piazzas and rustic olive groves, both Stella and Amy make surprising discoveries about their families – and themselves.

By facing up to the past and opening their hearts, can Stella and Amy find happiness in the Italian village in the hills?

Escape to Italy with this warm, romantic and emotional tale of family, love and second chances.

This book talks all about second chances set in the beautiful scenic village backdrop in Italy.

Stella returns back to her village where she left many years ago. When she was younger, she was in love with a boy and her father who didn’t approve of her relationship died of heart attack. Now by chance, Stella realizes her uncle still runs the shop. Her uncle suddenly has an accident, causing her to take over the shop which eventually makes Stella breaks of her engagement with Joe. While running the shop, she meets her first love, Gino. Gino also couldn’t help and the two decide to give their relationship another chance. Meanwhile, Amy comes to the village as her grandfather, who used to fight in WWII has come to this village and she found it through the postcard that he had received. Amy also had a necklace that used to belong to her grandfather. The whole story talks about second chances, romance and of course discovering love.

This was an interesting and emotional read. The descriptions of the village brought the reader to Italy and it feels like you are in Italy. I love the coziness that I felt in this book as well. I also like the historical element that is added to this book, which made the whole book interesting to read as well, with a romantic twist. Overall, this was a cozy romance book that will bring you to the Italian village.

Overall this book is rated 4 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

The Deal – Off Campus Series Book 1 – Book Review

Title:- The Deal (Off Campus Series Book 1)

Author:- Elle Kennedy

Date published:- February 24th 2015

Genre:- Sports Romance

No. of pages:- 342 pages

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5 Writing:- 4/5 Spicy :- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

She’s about to make a deal with the college bad boy…

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she’s carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush’s attention, she’ll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice…even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

…and it’s going to be oh so good

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he’s worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he’s all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn’t take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn’t going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

Let’s make this review brief and short

Hannah has gotten an A for her ethics exam–the exam in which nearly everyone in her class had failed. Meanwhile the hockey jock, Garret has failed the exam. When he realized that Hannah had aced the exam, he asks her to tutor him–if his GPA falls, then he would have no chance to play the games. Hannah vehemently refuses but then Garret makes a deal–Garrett will help her to get closer to Hannah’s crush Justin by pretending to date each other while Hannah helps him to ace the upcoming ethics exam. As the two starts working together, both can’t help but realize that they are actually in love with each other.

My Opinion–for people who liked reading spicy romances, then The Deal is just one for you.

I actually like both the main protagonists–Garrett may seem as a jock but deep inside, he has a caring and kind heart–he is very concerned and cars about Hannah. Not to mention Garrett watched his father abusing his own mother and also abusing him. Hannah is dealing with her own trauma she had when she was a teenager. They help out each other whenever one of them is dealing with their own trauma. I liked the setting of the story as well, the college community which makes me miss my college days.

The book also talks about sensitive topics–domestic abuse, sexual assault, so anyone who are sensitive to those topics please read with care.

I was a bit skeptical to read this book but now I think I cannot wait to read the whole series. Worth four stars.

A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.

Elle currently writes for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

Promise Me Sunshine – Book Review

Title:- Promise Me Sunshine

Author:- Cara Bastone

Date published;- March 4th 2025

No. of pages:- 373 pages

Genre:- Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5 Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating;- 4/5

Grieving the loss of her best friend, a young woman’s life is turned upside down when she meets a grumpy stranger who swears he can help her live again, in this heartwarming, slow-burn romance by the author of Ready or Not

Lenny’s a bit of a mess at the moment. Her best friend, Lou, recently passed away after a battle with cancer, and her death has left Lenny feeling completely lost. She’s avoiding her concerned parents, the apartment she shared with Lou, and the list of things she’s supposed to do to help her live again. The only thing she can do is temporary babysitting gigs, and luckily, she just landed a great one, helping overworked, single mom Reese and her precocious daughter, Ainsley. It’s not perfect: Ainsley’s uncle, Miles, always seems to be around, and is kind of… a huge jerk. But if Lenny acts like she has it all together, maybe no one will notice she’s falling apart.

Miles sees right through her though. Turns out, he knows a lot about grief and, surprisingly, he offers her a proposition. He’ll help her complete everything on her “live again” list if she’ll help him connect with Ainsley and overcome his complicated relationship with Reese. Lenny doubts anything can fill the Lou has left behind, but she begins to spend more time with Miles, Lenny is surprised to discover that, sometimes, losing everything is only the first step to finding yourself, and love, again.

After reading Ready or Not by Cara Bastone– which by the way was good, I got her novel Promise Me Sunshine which was released in 2025.

Lenny gets a job as a babysitter for a few days. She meets Miles, who happened to be the person she was working for, the brother. Miles wasn’t initially at first skeptical about Lenny but later on Miles realizes that Lenny was qualified and suited for the job. The two eventually get closer–Lenny is dealing with the loss of her friend Lou who died from cancer and Miles has a hard time making his feelings known as he is dealing with his own loss. The two get together and make a list of things they want to do so they could move on away from their grief.

About the setting and characters- initially, at first, the first part of the book wasn’t that great but when Lenny is dealing with the loss of her friend and when Miles and Lenny become good friends eventually in the end as lovers, then it was interesting. The story mostly deals about grief of losing a loved one and coping with that grief. Lenny lost her best friend Lou, and she has been grieving so much that she even refuses to go back to the apartment where she and Lou lived together. Miles is one of those people that you wish as a best friend–a perfect guy who would always be there whenever you are in need of help.

My thoughts– The book overall was slow burn romance–in fact about 60% of the book was Lenny’s and Miles’ friendship with each other and how they both started making other new friends and romance between them develops somewhere towards the end. Lenny is a likable and funny character whereas Miles, every girl would have wished to have a guy like Miles. The emotions, grief and making second chances are the main talk of this book and overall, I did like this book. The writing was great as the author manages to capture the feelings and emotions in the book.

Overall, this book is worth 4 stars.

Hi, I’m Cara!
I’m a full time writer living and writing in Brooklyn with my husband, son, and an almost-goldendoodle. My goal with my work is to find the swoon in ordinary love stories.

I’ve been a fan of the romance genre since I found a grocery bag filled with my grandmother’s old Harlequin Romances when I was in high school. I’m a fangirl for pretzel sticks, long walks through Prospect Park, and love stories featuring men who aren’t crippled by their own masculinity.

The French House Share- ARC Book Review

Title:- The French House Share

Author:- Gillian Harvey

Date published:- will be published on 25th Jan 2026

No. of pages:- 346 pages

Genre;- Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5 Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4.5/5

A totally captivating story about loss, love and new beginnings, set in beautiful France, from the bestselling author of The Bordeaux Book Club. 🇫🇷🍷🥐❤️

‘I can’t live with total strangers… can I?’

Bella’s living her dream life, running a beautiful, rural French B&B and has finally put her past behind her. But when her husband suddenly asks for a divorce, everything changes.

Forced to abandon everything she’d built before, she finds herself moving to the beautiful town of Versailles, where she takes a job working in a hotel, and moves into a chaotic house share.

At first, it doesn’t feel like a problem that she can’t seem to convince her young housemates she’s older than them – it’s quite nice to pretend she’s in her 20s again. But when it becomes clear her new boss has also hired her under false pretences, she starts to wonder if she’s gone from living the dream to living a lie.

Despite the chaos though, she starts to feel that spark return. Even more so when handsome American landlord Brad arrives on the scene. But with so many secrets – now and in her past – how will Bella’s new start end?

First book review of the year 2026! And Happy New Year to all of you

Bella seems to be living her dream life–living in the French countryside, owning a B&B and putting her past behind. But then her husband Peter asks for divorce and Bella’s life suddenly turn upside down.

Now Bella is forced to find a job which made her to move to Versailles. She starts living in a house with two twenty something old people, Odette and Henri. And she gets a job as a project manager for a small boutique hotel. But here’s the problem–Odette and Henri believe Bella is in her twenties even though Bella is actually in her thirties and she kind of lied on her resume about the job. Her boss, Claudette hands her a big task of impressing a certain hotel critics and will Bella able to do the job? And thinks get complicated when a handsome American man, Brad, who is the landlord of the house she lives in enters into her life.

Let’s start with the atmosphere--reading this book will actually make you feel like you are living in the rural France and Versailles. The descriptions of the places, the cafes and of course the French people in general will actually make you feel like you are living in France.

About the characters…Bella is a sort of complex character–she is a very likable and related heroine–and realistic. Anyone can actually relate to Bella–feeling insecure when she is around her sister Kitty and funny. Brad and Bella would make a perfect couple and the other supporting characters, Odette, Henri, Claudette and Jeanette are supportive and likable.

The storyline–I really enjoyed reading the story. There were funny moments in the book, which make you laugh out loud and there were so many relatable moments in the book as well. The story overall talks about dealing with love, loss and of course second chances. And overall, it was realistic as well. Bella knew she lied on her resume and living with a lie while trying to achieve a success shows how Bella’s character is resilient and courageous. This is not just a typical romance novel but also a chance to turn your life back again after a loss.

Overall, this is a 4.5 star read. I am looking forward to read more books from this author.

And now, Back to you – ARC Book Review

Title:- And now, Back to You

Author:- B.K. Borison

Date published:- will be published on February 24th 2026

No. of pages:- 464 pages

Genre:- Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5 Writing:- 5/5

Overall rating:- 9/10

Two competing meteorologists are forced to find common ground in this opposites attract, When Harry Met Sally inspired romance, from New York Times bestselling author B.K. Borison.

Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they’re partnered against their will to cover the snowstorm of the century, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together.

Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal. If he can help her ace this assignment, she’ll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With an undiscovered chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship.

But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains, stay in the mountains?

Thank you, Pan Macmillan, for inviting me to review this book.

Outline:- Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart are two competing meteorologists. Jackson prefers without chaos and hates been in front of the screen while Delilah loves adventure. So when the two are paired together to work together to report about an upcoming storm which will become one of the severest storm of the century, the two have no choice but work together by going out the mountains to report. Delilah offers a deal to Jackson–Jackson must help her to ace this assignment while Delilah will help Jackson explore his fun side. And while working together, will there be a love story between them?

My thoughts:- If you like grumpy-sunshine stories then this is one for you. This is the second book of the Heartstrings series–I have reviewed the first book of the series (First Time Caller) already in here. All the characters except for Delilah’s boss Keith are all likable. Both Jackson and Delilah kind of share the similar childhood background–Jackson always had to act like a parent to his younger sisters as their mother is always neglecting her parental duties and Delilah was abandoned by her own mother and was raised by her grandfather. The chemistry between Jackson and Delilah is hot and I like how slowly the chemistry between the two was built.

The story is told in POVs of both Delilah and Jackson so as a reader you will get to know their side of the story and thoughts. Delilah is a fun girl to be with and extremely loyal–you can see that with her relationship with her grandfather. Jackson is responsible and serious person. B.K. Borison knows how to get the reader into the story. Honestly, all her books are easier to read and you don’t really feel bored reading her books. Not to mention there are some funny parts in the book that will literally make you laugh out loud.

I also like the overall setting of the story–perfect for someone who like reading winter cozy romance novels. I am not going to give too much details but I feel the second book was far more enjoyable than the first one. Delilah and Jackson really made a perfect couple.

Overall I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 star rating.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and Pan Macmillan for inviting me to review this book. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

The Intruder – Book Review

Title:- The Intruder

Author:- Freida McFadden

Date published:- October 7th 2025

No. of pages:- 279 pages

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5 Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

Who knows what the storm will blow in…

Casey’s cabin in the wilderness is not built for a hurricane. Her roof shakes, the lights flicker, and the tree outside her front door sways ominously in the wind. But she’s a lot more worried about the girl she discovers lurking outside her kitchen window.

She’s young. She’s alone. And she’s covered in blood.

The girl won’t explain where she came from or loosen her grip on the knife in her right hand. And when Casey makes a disturbing discovery in the middle of the night, things take a turn for the worse.

The girl has a dark secret. One she’ll kill to keep. And if Casey gets too close to the truth, she may not live to see the morning.

In this taut, deadly tale of survival and desperation, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden explores how far one girl will go to save herself.

The Intruder is another fast-paced thriller written by one of my favorite thriller authors, Freida McFadden, which was actually released only two months’ ago.

Casey is living in a remote cabin in the woods. There is a storm coming on the way and the roof of the cabin is questionable. However, Casey remains in the cabin until she sees a light coming from the tool shed. When she goes out to see the tool shed, she sees a young girl covered in blood cowering in the corner. Casey manages to pry the girl from the tool shed and asks her to come into her cabin. But Casey notices blood coming out of the young girl’s bag and that when Casey found a notebook, that covered with disturbing pictures of a woman getting tortured. Has Casey done a terrible mistake inviting a complete stranger in the middle of the storm with no power? Can Casey survive in the storm?

Like all Freida McFadden books, the book is a page turner. The story is told in the POVs of Casey and another girl who seems to be enduring abuse from her own mother. There are twists and turns, just like in most of McFadden books. This book will almost put you on the edge of the seat as you read through the books. The ending was BAM quite unexpected ending.

If I rant on about the review, I may give a lot of spoilers. But be aware, there are some sensitive content to some readers which include mostly parental abuse.

Overall this book was great and I give this book four stars.

Most Favorite and Least Favorite books by month

I saw a trend on Instagram where each of them label out their most and least favorite of books in each month so I thought I will also do the same. Here are my most favorite and least favorite books of each month.

Least Favorite

Most Favorite

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

Most Favorite (I had two in April)

Least Favorite

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

Again I have two books that are my most favorite in June

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

I didn’t give any books less than four stars so there is no least favorite book in the month of July

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

Most Faorite

Least Favorite

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

Most Favorite

Least Favorite

December still reading and will update the list afterwards.

The Gingerbread Bakery – Book Review

Title:- The Gingerbread Bakery

Author:- Laurie Gilmore

Date published:- Septembe 16th 2025

No. of pages:- 358 pages

Genre:- Romance

Rating:-

Plot:- 4/5 Writing:- 4/5

Overall rating:- 4/5

As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business; sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street.

Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they’re about to spend a lot more time together.

As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?

The Gingerbread Bakery is a cozy romantic novel with an enemies to lovers dynamic, small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!

Tropes:

• Enemies to lovers
• Found family
• Small Town
• Forced Proximity

The Gingerbread Bakery is the fifth book of the Dream Harbor series. Now this time, the story follows Annie Andrews who owns the Gingerbread Bakery and Mac Sullivan who owns the Sullivan pub. The two cannot stand each other due to the history between them. As their friends’ wedding is itching closer, Annie must get along with Mac for the sake of Jeanie and Logan. Logan’s grandmother Estelle goes missing along with Jeanie’s aunt and so Annie had to reluctantly work with Mac to find Estelle before the bride and bridegroom finds out.

I have gotten addicted with Dream Harbor series and so always make sure to buy the latest book. Dream Harbor series are quite popular in my country Sri Lanka as well. The story changes between past (then) when Annie and Mac were teenagers and now when they were both adults and few days before their friends’ wedding. In the past, both Annie and Mac have graduated from high school and Annie thinks Mac is a jerk. There are some funny parts in the book as well when all their other friends are suspecting that there is something between the two. Of course, Annie and Mac get together in the end.

Overall, I rate this book as four stars.

You can read this book as a standalone but then it will be better if you can read all the books before reading this one. Also since this is set during Christmas, perfect to read during Christmas time.

Forget You Saw Her – Book Review

Title:- Forget You Saw Her

Author:- Noelle W Ihli

Date published:- November 4th 2025

No. of pages:- 370 pages

Genre:- Thriller

Rating:-

Plot:- 5/5 Writing:- 5/5

Overall rating:- 5/5

A missing girl. A frantic mother. A desperate search.

Across the country, notes taped to restroom stalls read, “On a date that isn’t going well? Ask for Andrea at the bar. We’ll make sure you get home safe.”

But Andrea—the girl behind the campaign—didn’t make it home safe. 

She disappeared without a trace at seventeen. The police labeled her a runaway, and the case went cold. That is, until her mother, Sabina, starts digging for answers.

But the closer she gets to the truth, the clearer it becomes that not everyone wants Andrea to be found. A predator is hiding in plain sight, keeping close tabs on the search. And he’ll do whatever it takes to make sure his secrets stay buried. 

Forget You Saw Her is the chilling standalone prequel to the international bestseller Ask for Andrea.

This is the prequel of Ask for Andrea although you can read both the books as standalone.

Forget You Saw Her follows the story of Sabina who when she was sixteen had to give her own daughter up fo adoption. Now Sabina receives a letter from the police requesting DNA from Sabina to ensure that the body at the morgue does not belong to her daughter Andrea Beaumont. Now Sabina decides to find answers about her daughter that she drives all the way from Oregon to the small town called Ogden Utah.

This book contains sensitive topics such as sexual abuse, domestic abuse and child abuse. Readers are cautioned.

I enjoyed this one. The story is actually emotional and heartbreaking to reading, particularly reading Isabel’s part. Like Ask for Andrea, both Andrea and Isabel are ghosts who were both murdered by Andrea’s adopted father Dennis Beaumont and they try to seek revenge and justice. We also have Sabina’s POV where she describes her emotions and determination to find answers about her daughter’s whereabouts. The story itself is fast paced, with some twists and turns and also a page turner. As I mentioned earlier, the story is sad and heartbreaking. The ending was expected but it was a satisfactory ending in my opinion.

Another thing is I really like this author’s style of writing. The whole story was written flawlessly and smoothly and I like how the author managed to get the reader into the story. Not to mention that even though it is a work of fiction, this story is apparently based on real life events.

This is the third book I have read from this author and so far, this book is one of my favorites. I highly recommend her books and for this book I give five stars.