Melissa McClone

Just…wow.

I cannot remember the last time I felt this kind of angst. Kittens & Kisses leaves off on a literal cliffhanger that had my heart pounding. I feel such a connection to these women, which is why I ended the book with a wail, whaling “No!!”

The author recommends that you read this series in sequential order, and after reading this novel I can see why. Not only are there multiple spoilers, but it takes a few books to really feel the reciprocity between yourself and the characters, show more and once you do the loyalty is fierce.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read the first two books, so it took me a bit to get my bearings, but once I was reacquainted with the Posse, and the goings on in Berry Lake, there was no escaping. I finished the novel in mere hours, physically unable to put the book down.

While every character in the Posse is highlighted in the narrative, the main focus of this novel is Missy, Bria, and their situations. Kittens & Kisses literally picks up where Tiaras & Teacups leaves off, so the fire at the shop is still a hot topic, which intimately affected Bria and Missy. Because I do not believe in spoilers, I can’t say much more, other than the heat is turned up even more, drama and tension building more and more with each novel.

Melissa wrote this book while dealing with the loss of her brother, with whom this novel is dedicated to, and I commend her so much. I cannot even imagine what she’s been through, but I feel like she poured her pain onto the pages, and I could feel the incredible emotion behind the words, and thank her for her dedication.

This is hands down my favorite read so far this summer and I cannot praise this novel enough. This series is character-driven and so full of heart and real-life drama. You feel like these could be people in your own community, and it’s hard not to feel protective of them and their plights.

I am now impatiently waiting for book four, and can’t wait to see where the Posse goes next.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

Tiaras & Teacups picks up exactly where Cupcakes & Crumbs left off, which was exactly what I was hoping for, since book one leaves us with quite a few unanswered questions. Sadly, the answers to some of those questions are more heartbreaking than what I was expecting, but the trials that each friend is going through brings them, and the reader, even closer into the Posse's circle, continuing the flesh out each character, and bring us deeper into their worlds.

Juliet has a major role in this show more book, as the story begins with her world being completely turned upside down. Reading her story was both empowering and freeing, while also being deplorable, all thanks to her verbally abusive and manipulative husband Ezra, and her domineering and self-absorbed grandmother. Both of these heartless characters had me audibly growling at the pages, which shows great writing on Melissa's part, and I hope to see them both get what they deserve in future books, but will have to patiently wait and see what happens. Seeing Juliet grow so much in this novel was refreshing, and I hope that as the series continues that we will get to see her grow and develop even more. She is the sweetest character, and truly deserves nothing but the best.

Watching Nell navigate a new relationship was humorous, and gave some much-needed comic relief to an otherwise heavier novel, what with her seemingly dating two guys just to keep her mom off her back, and one of them being her polar opposites. The adventures they go on had me giggling, as I was with Nell all the way. There's no way I would've done what she did!

Selena is there to give support to the other members of the Posse, though she too is also dealing with a personal struggle that she is keeping to herself, but she felt more like a side character in this novel. I really hope she gets more of the spotlight in a future book, as I adore the scenes with her and her husband. Talk about #relationshipgoals!!!

Missy is in recovery the entire book, and is not always the best patient, which isn't surprising given her character, but she also shows growth throughout the book, and is more motivated than ever to getting the cupcake shop up and running again. I honestly cannot wait to see where her imagination takes the shop!

While Nell, Selena, and Missy are all dealing with their own issues, they all pale in comparison to the situations Juliet and Bria find themselves in. Just like Juliet, Bria's world is also upended when her father is arrested, and being held as a possible suspect in the cupcake shop fire. Not only was she already trying to deal with her relationship with her father, but now she is fighting to find out the truth, not knowing what to believe anymore, and honestly I was with her. There is still so much mystery surrounding who is behind the fire, putting even more tension on the story as a whole, and still leaving questions unanswered, but that's not all Bria is going through. She is also blindsided with a major change at her job, as well as her and Dalton navigating the waters of their budding relationship. I do have to say, those two are adorable together, and there are several scenes that had me swooning.

Tiaras & Teacups leaves you with quite the cliffhanger at the end, which I was not expecting at all, and I loved it, while hating it at the same time. I love a good surprise, but I hate thatI have to wait until April 2022 to find out what happens next!! What am I going to do until then?? Since I haven't finished The Beach Brides/Indigo Bay miniseries yet, which is a prequel to the Berry Lake Cupcake Posse series, I think I'll go back and read those.

I cannot rave enough about this series!!! The Posse is just incredible, and I love seeing women uplifting other women through tough times. This is what we all need right now!! And can we all just stop for a moment and appreciate how insanely delicious the cover is?! Oh my gosh!! I am still dreaming about attending one of Juliet's tea parties! show less

I’m not particularly big on novels that feature billionaires, but Melissa McClone can do no wrong in my book, so I decided to give her new Billionaire Matchmaker series a try since I love a good matchmaking story, and I’m so glad I did.

Billionaire Henry Davenport loves two things: spending money and matching up his friends. So far his endeavors have been nothing but a success, so he has another go and sets his eyes on his good friends, millionaire seeker Cynthia Sterling, and show more trying-to-escape-his-family Cade Armstrong Waters. Cynthia represents everything Cade is trying to escape from, but when Henry agrees to an insanely generous donation to Cade’s foundation for at-risk children in exchange for spending two weeks on a deserted island with Ms. Sterling it is an offer Cade can’t refuse. Thus begins The Island Adventure.

It felt like I was in a dream the entire time I read. I normally am not one for billionaires as they normally rub me the wrong way, but there was something magnetic about Cade and Cynthia, though it took me some time to get there. Truth be told, Cynthia annoyed me from the get-go. She is so overly self-absorbed and superficial that it is beyond cringy to read, but over time she did grow on me, and her redemption arc is one of the strongest I’ve read in awhile. I liked Cade from the start, though it’s clear that he too has quite a chip on his shoulder. Once I saw Cade and Cynthia together it’s obvious what Henry saw all along. They truly bring out the best in one another and give the other a reason to grow, and you love to see it.

There are moments that are tongue in cheek, while also scenes that are nothing short of magic, and everything in between. There truly is not a dull moment in this novel and I loved every bit of it. There is something endearing about a billionaire matchmaker and flawed, privileged characters that you love to see, and I cannot wait to see where this new series takes us next!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less

Talk about a read that will get you in the mood for fall! Pumpkin spice = a cup of autumn to me and apparently many in Silver Falls, shares my sentiments! The story begins with both of our main characters in a precarious time of their lives. They both are pushed in their own ways, living lives that neither of them saw themselves in, yet here they are. Can we not all relate to that?? Raine is an overworked and beyond stressed barista and owner of Silver Falls coffee shop. Though she loves her show more job the lack of help, and no break whatsoever, has her rethinking her choices.

Keaton is on the right track in life. He’s a professor that is about to tenure, until he’s let go due to budget cuts, and his perfectly planned life is now not so perfect. He goes to Silver Falls to regroup and figure out what his next step is going to be. This is the first book I’ve read in the Silver Falls series, but it is clear that Keaton and Raine have met, and soon they are getting to know each other even better as they plan out this year’s Boo Bash, the local Halloween festivities put on by the local business association.

I will admit it took me a bit to get all the characters straight, a big reason why I will be going back to read more in the series, but the further I got into the book the more I became vested in all of these wonderfully quirky characters, and this charming Washington town.

I hate how both Keaton and Raine are both starting out the story with such huge setbacks in their lives. My heart goes out to both of them instantly, understanding all too well the plights that they both find themselves in. Though they are complete opposites, at first glance, they are both immensely driven, some thing I greatly admire, but it is clear to see why they both are struggling like they are, especially Keaton. His whole identity is based on being a professor, and without that identity he is lost. The more you read, the more you see these two are actually perfect for each other, each complimenting the other beautifully, and the chemistry between the two is obvious to everyone, including one another.

One thing that really stuck out to me was Keaton’s family. I know Callie, Keaton’s sisters, love story is in book one, so I know I will see more from the family when I read the rest of the series, but even in this book the family structure and support is clear. Though the Andrews family is incredibly high achieving they obviously are very supportive of one another, something that is truly heartwarming to me as you don’t always see such a strong family dynamics anymore.

Overall I was charmed and smitten with this story, especially the ending, which had me seriously swooning!! All the talk of pumpkin flavored coffee drinks made me seriously crave a Pumpkin Spice Latte the entire time I was reading. Though I love my pumpkin I don’t go as crazy as some and have my few choice pumpkin flavored products and that’s it, though I am intrigued by a few drinks that were mentioned in the story.

I have fallen in love with this cast of characters, and this series! It was the perfect read to kick off the fall season!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own. show less