Winter Renshaw

**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest voluntary review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

Winter Renshaw has quickly become a must read author for me. She writes consistently entertaining romances with their great premises and awesome characters. Her books always satisfy the romantic in me.

The first half or so of this novel is set in the past. You get to see how Yardley and Nevada fell in love as teenagers all the way up until the point show more where they break up. I relished this because I often find we don't see that "first chance" in second chance stories. Seeing their past and how they loved each other had me falling in love with them while simultaneously shedding a tear because I knew it wasn't going to last for some reason.

Then we jump ahead to the present and we see how the effects the past has had on them. As a result, it has a great flow and a "come-full-circle" feel to it that I sometimes find missing in second chance stories.

It's a very character driven story in the sense that these two have to overcome the consequences of their earlier actions. They have to become stronger individuals to see their faults (mostly their own stubbornness and pride) and learn how to move forward. And I really enjoyed that aspect.

It honestly didn't take much for me to fall in love with these two as a couple. It's a bit more telling than showing at the start but that didn't stop me from seeing the love they shared. I liked that the first half of the book focused on them talking and sharing moments instead of just sexy times. You see how strong their bond is and I loved that.

I could have used a little more romance in the second half. There was just something about the pacing of the romance that didn't match the first half. Regardless, I still loved watching their story and the anticipation of seeing whether or not they would get their happy ending!

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-2qE
Actual Rating: 4/5 show less

REVIEW: “I never pried because getting him to talk about it was like trying to give a cat a bath. Seemed like it was more work than it was worth.” In the months that Reed and Joa spent “with benefits”, neither really got to know the other very well. But their love bloomed in spite of their arrangement. The betrayal, the secrets, and his haunting past contributed to their angst. Delightful outcome, with the help of several quirky characters. This is my voluntary review of an Advanced show more Reader Copy of this book.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW:
This Christmas, I’ll be getting a visit from a man in a suit, only it won’t be Santa.

Let me first say: Reed York was never my boyfriend. He was the pen. I was the company ink. Though if you want to get technical, we were more like colleagues-who-hated-each-other … with benefits.

Everything was fine until the charming jerk went behind my back, stole my promotion, and became my boss—literally overnight.

Refusing to work beneath him (professionally speaking and otherwise), I transferred 2,014 miles away to our Chicago division, and I’ve spent the past year trying to remember how much I hated his panty-melting smirk so I can forget how much I secretly loved the way his ocean eyes lit every time I walked into the room.

But he’s just announced a last-minute site visit the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and on top of that, he’s audaciously designated me as his ‘right hand gal’ during his visit. If he thinks he has a snowball’s chance in this hell at getting back in my good graces, he’s got another thing coming.

Reed York might be a man used to getting everything he’s ever wanted, but Joa Jolivet is a woman that never forgets.

He can put me on his Christmas list all he wants, but everyone knows naughty boys only get coal show less

You only get ONE pancake and maybe only one chance at love.
REVIEW: “Just months ago, I lost myself in your smile and I found myself in your kiss. You were the one. I was just too afraid to say it.” Instead Isaiah and Maritza limit themselves to barely a friendship followed by a “P.S. I hate you.” This was a unique romance story between two people hiding from life and love. I was surprised by the twist in the middle of the book and cheered for the HEA ending. It is a delightful story show more filled with old Hollywood romance in a modern world. This is my voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Dear Isaiah,

Eight months ago, you were just a soldier about to be deployed and I was just a waitress, sneaking you a free pancake and hoping you wouldn’t notice that my gaze was lingering a little too long.

But you did notice.

We spent one life-changing week together before you left, and we said goodbye on day eight, exchanging addresses at the last minute.

I saved every letter you wrote me, your words quickly becoming my religion.

But you went radio silent on me months ago, and then you had the audacity to walk into my diner yesterday and act like you’d never seen me in your life.

To think … I almost loved you and your beautifully complicated soul. Almost.

Whatever your reason is—I hope it’s a good one.

Maritza the Waitress

PS – I hate you, and this time … I mean it. show less

4.4 stars

This book had me in it's clutches from the first paragraph. Great premise. Like, really great premise. Loved the story, the character, and the dual aflame connection. Several things touched me about the book, but the single word Elle and the explanation of it made my heart ache. I love signs. It ended cute. I liked that there were some things not planned for from the dream.

I did have an issue with the whole Grant thing, especially, toward the end and the resolution. This author can show more write. I can see I will be busy with her backlog of books in order to get caught up. I'm hooked. show less