Romance level: Kisses Only 
Language: 2 uses of as*, 3 uses of d*mn, 2 uses of h*ll
Content Warning: loss and grief
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Lily’s verdict: It was good 

I felt like I could relate to Jo SO much and everything she was feeling There were moments when I felt like we were so similar, and her story really hit close to home for me!

And little Dutton?! Absolutely ADORABLE I loved his character so much! He was easily one of my favorite parts of the entire story.

Overall, this was such a fun, heartwarming read and a great addition to the series! I especially loved the found family elements woven throughout

Brother’s Best Friend
Forced Proximity
A Splash of Fake Dating
Age Gap
Single Father Figure
Found Family

BLURB: Forever wasn’t part of their agreement…

Josephine Michaels has a big problem.

Several problems, TBH.
1. She’s unemployed and stuck living with her parents. Again.
2. Her ex is coming to her sister’s wedding. With his new fiancée.
3. The super-hot PT she’s crushing on is not only too busy to date, he’s also friends with her protective older brother.

Noah Stadler has his own problem: His lengthy PT job description now includes being a full-time, single father-figure to a preschooler.

Enter Jo.

She agrees to be Noah’s live-in help until his sister arrives to take care of her son and make a fresh start. In the meantime, Noah pretends to be Jo’s boyfriend for the wedding.

At first, their temporary arrangement seems perfect: Co-parenting and fake dating with no strings attached and a guaranteed expiration date.

Nothing could go wrong, right?

Until both their hearts start making plans that break all the rules…

The post You Fall First by Julie Christianson (Book 4) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Romance level: Kisses Only 
Language: None
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Lily’s verdict: Loved it

I loved this story! It pulled me in right away, and I absolutely flew through it I especially loved the themes of redemption and forgiveness woven throughout the story.

And of course, it’s always so fun seeing characters from the other books make appearances I love those little connections that make the whole series feel like one big world.

As someone who loves baking, I thoroughly enjoyed watching Sadie come up with all of her delicious sounding creations I seriously wish I could have tried some of them!!

This was such a sweet fall romance with plenty of small town charm, complicated history, and characters I really enjoyed rooting for

Single POV
Small Town
Fall Romance
Forbidden Romance
Brother’s Ex-Best Friend
Town Prodigal

BLURB: He’s the villain in everyone else’s story. What happens if he becomes the hero of hers?

Sadie Stevenson is very good at three things: baking, avoiding conflict, and pretending she never had a crush on her brother’s best friend—ex best friend, that is.

She’s about to get worse at all three.

When James Carver returns to Autumn Ridge after eight years away, Sadie tells herself that working alongside him at Carver Maple Farm is just business. She tells herself she can handle this.

She cannot handle this.

In a town with a long memory and with a brother who will never forgive, falling for James isn’t just complicated, it’s forbidden.

Too bad James Carver turns out to be nothing like the villain she was promised.

The post Forbidden To Fall by Martha Keyes (Book 7) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Romance level: Kisses Only 
Language: None
Content Warning: loss of parent(past) 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Lily’s verdict: It was good

This was such a fun grumpy x sunshine romance! There was some genuine loathing happening in that first half which made watching their relationship slowly change that much more fun.

And precious little Anna She absolutely stole my heart!

I really enjoyed the character development in this one. Both MCs had a lot to work through, which gave the story so much depth, and I loved watching their relationship develop along the way. And the slow burn was SO good

Overall, this was such an enjoyable sports romance with a great mix of emotional moments, tension, and sweetness

This is book two in the River Foxes Football Romance series, but the books can be read in order or as standalones

Grumpy x Sunshine
Second Chance Romance
Sports Romance 
Best Friend’s Brother 
Age Gap
Forced Proximity 

BLURB: Three months. Two enemies. Under one roof. Everything could go wrong. But what if they’ve stumbled into something right?

Lawrence Poe, tight end for the Green Bay River Foxes, is a type-A control freak who functions best when his house is clean, his spreadsheets are updated, and his protein shakes are precisely measured. Adding a four-year-old to his structured schedule isn’t going to be easy, but his sister needs him to watch his niece, and he always shows up for his family. Still, with training camp and other football commitments, Lawrence can’t watch Ana alone. Enter Beni Fitzgerald—his sister’s best friend and Ana’s Godmother—a woman who threatens every aspect of his controlled, orderly life.

An artistic free spirit, Beni Fitzgerald is a type-B dreamer who lives by the mantra all will be well. No, she wouldn’t choose to spend the summer living with a man who is her polar opposite, but she’ll do anything for her Goddaughter, even if that puts her directly in the path of Lawrence Poe. Beni has always yearned for a place to belong, and Lawrence made it clear it’s not with him after he gave her the best kiss of her life five years ago only to pull away and call it all a mistake.

But their forced proximity requires compromise, and as the duo grows in understanding and trust, both Lawrence and Beni realize this could be a summer of second chances.

The post Second Down and Second Chances by Leah Dobrinska (Book 2) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Romance level: Kisses only, Innuendo
Language: 7 uses of h*ll, 1 use of d*mn, 1 use of a**
Content Warning: stalking
Genre: Contemporary romance
Lily’s verdict: New Favorite

Impossible to put down!! I absolutely DEVOURED this book

And have you SEEN these tropes?!?! This book had basically everything I love wrapped into one story. And just when you think you know what you’re getting…there are a few surprise tropes thrown in too, and they were SO fun

Tate’s brothers were easily one of my favorite parts They had me laughing so much, and I loved having those lighter, chaotic family moments mixed in with the heavier stalker storyline.

And Tate and Liv?!?! THE CHEMISTRY. The flirty banter was absolutely top tier and I was smiling through half this book. I ate up every interaction between them.

But “your pillow needs fixed”?!?!?! Excuse me while I MELT. That entire moment had my heart(honestly so many moments had my entire heart lol)

Protective bodyguard + obsessed stalker + sizzling chemistry + hilarious family dynamics?? Apparently the recipe for a new favorite because I absolutely loved this one.

Protective Bodyguard
Obsessed Stalker
Forced Proximity
Small Vermont Town
Brother’s Best Friend
Banter and Chemistry

BLURB: Her stalker is getting closer. So is her bodyguard.

I know how to write murder mysteries.

Dead bodies? Great. Blood and gore? Even better.

Romance? Absolutely not.

Unfortunately, my production company disagrees. After years of writing cozy crime dramas, I’m suddenly being forced to write a flannel-and-cider romance packed with pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and happily-ever-afters I don’t actually believe in.

Not after spending months hiding from a stalker who’s growing more obsessive each day.

Which is how I end up back in my hometown of Autumn Ridge, Vermont, under the protection of Tate Walker: my older brother’s best friend, an off-duty cop recovering from a dangerous undercover operation, and the same overprotective pain in my neck who never could mind his own business.

Now I’m hiding out on his family’s hay farm while police hunt my stalker. Between self-defense lessons, tractor rides, and cozy autumn outings that feel suspiciously like dates, I start finding inspiration for my romantic screenplay in the one place I never expected:

My bodyguard.

But as the threats escalate and my stalker gets closer, so do Tate and I. Turns out the hardest love story I’ve ever had to write… is the one I’m living.

Click the photo above to read this amazing story!

The post The Bodyguard’s Fall by Cindy Steel (Book 1) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

One thing I wasn’t expecting was how invested I became in Julia’s storyline! I almost found myself wanting her story just as much as Jeremy and Amelia’s, and I would have loved to see her get her own book.

The only part that didn’t quite work for me was the last portion of the story. Amelia’s indecision went on a little longer than I would have liked, and I found myself wishing things had been resolved a bit sooner. Even so, I still really enjoyed the journey and had a hard time putting this one down.

Enemies to Lovers Vibes
Historical Fiction
He Falls First 
Best Friend’s Brother
Opposites Attract 
Pride and Prejudice Vibes 

: Kisses Only 
: None 
: sexual assault 

BLURB: Of all London’s eligible suitors, why did the most impossible gentleman have to be the most unforgettable? 

When Amelia Moore is invited to London for the social Season, she hopes for a chance at love–but certainly not with Jeremy Beaumont, the Season’s most sought-after bachelor. Upon making the acquaintance of his sister Juliet at her first ball, Amelia becomes fast friends with her, but Jeremy’s protective nature leads him to question her motives, and he accuses Amelia of using his sister to capture his attention and fortune. Outraged at his arrogance, Amelia vows never to speak to him again, which proves a more difficult feat than she anticipated. 

As Amelia attracts the attention of other wealthy gentlemen, Jeremy feels compelled to warn her away from certain suitors, a goodwill gesture that she does not appreciate. When an unexpected circumstance threatens Juliet’s reputation, Amelia and Jeremy are forced to confront their undeniable attraction–and discover whether their battle of wills has actually been a dance toward love.

Click the photo above to read this story!

The post A Mismatch Made In London by Melanie Dickerson appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Romance level: Kisses only
Language: None
Content Warning: past child abuse and neglect, ptsd, past loss of a parent, grief
Genre: Contemporary romance
Lily’s verdict: Absolutely adored

Series: Kansas City Crowns

MY REVIEW: I think this story healed a little piece of my heart.

I don’t even know how to put into words how much this book meant to me. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place.

Adrian Ortiz… oh my goodness. He has officially claimed a permanent spot on my list of favorite book boyfriends. The way he loved Samantha, with so much patience, gentleness, and unwavering support, completely melted my heart.

Samantha’s journey was one of the most beautifully written healing arcs I’ve ever read. Watching her face her past, work through her trauma, and slowly learn to hope again was incredibly moving. I found myself crying right alongside her more than once.
And can we talk about Griffin and Danae’s wedding? Jason? My heart absolutely could not handle those moments.

Adrian and Samantha were simply beautiful together. Their relationship felt so genuine, so tender, and so full of grace. They reminded me that healing doesn’t happen overnight, and sometimes the right person simply walks beside you through it.

By the time I reached the last page, I was smiling through tears. This is one of those stories that lingers long after you close the book.
I know without a doubt this will be one of my favorite reads of the year, and a story I’ll carry with me for a very long time

Sports Romance 
Brother’s Best Friend
Friends to Lovers 
He Falls First 
Golden Retriever MMC
Mental Health/Healing Journey 

“We can grieve the lives we should have had even while we’re grateful for the lives we do have.”

BLURB: She thinks her past left her too broken to find love. Her brother’s best friend thinks she could be the one he wants to love forever. 

Adrian Ortiz lives at the top of the world. He’s the star third baseman for the Kansas City Crowns and a favorite player of baseball fans everywhere. His contagious energy and playful approach to life have opened up one amazing opportunity after another. But after watching his best friend and former teammate, Griffin West, fall in love last year, Adrian realizes he’s missing the most important piece—his person to share those experiences with. And he thinks he knows who he wants that person to be.

Griffin’s younger sister.

Sam West has been around the professional baseball world—and Adrian—for years working as Griffin’s personal assistant. Now, she’s pursuing her own passion in cosmetology school, carving out a corner of the world for herself. She’s almost wholly content, until Griffin’s approaching wedding stirs Sam’s longing to find a love of her own. There’s just one problem—Sam buried that desire a long time ago. Her difficult childhood and time in foster care prior to joining the West family left her feeling too broken to experience a healthy relationship.

Will Sam choose the chance at love right in front of her? Or will she let her past dictate her future?

Click the photo above to read this amazing story!

The post Run Home by Tracy Baack (Book 2) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

The chemistry between Logan and Tessa was so much fun, and their interactions had me grinning more than once. There were definitely a few moments that had me kicking my feet and hoping they would finally figure things out

One of my favorite parts of the story was watching both characters grow throughout the book. Their individual journeys added so much depth to the romance and made it easy to root for them.

By the end, I was already excited to pick up the next book in the series

Best Friend’s Brother
She Falls First, He Falls Harder
Forced Proximity
Only One Tent
Small Town
Childhood Crush

: Kisses Only, Innuendo
: 2 use of d*mn
1 use of h*ll
2 uses of jacka**
1 use of d*mnit

: cheating ex, FMC was left at the alter(past tense)

BLURB: My best friend’s older brother is back in town.

Do I care? Not one bit. Logan may have been my childhood crush, but I’ve always been little Tessa to him. Not to mention, he’s turned into a shallow flirt and I’m not looking to get played again.

What’s the problem, you ask? (Besides all the flirting.)

Thanks to a scheming mutual friend, Logan and I find ourselves embroiled in a bet of absurd proportions. Now, instead of ignoring Logan and keeping my heart safely locked away, we have a date every Saturday night and a kiss looming on the horizon.

And the line between us is getting… muddy.

As long as Logan stays the shallow flirt, I’ll be fine. My heart is safe from the player. It’s the man underneath giving me a run for my money

Click the photo above to read this entertaining story!

The post Double Or Nothing by Cindy Steel (Book 2) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Best Friend’s Brother
She Stabs Him(kinda)
Novelette 
Faith Themes 
Shakespeare 
Chick-Lit

: Kisses Only 
: None

BLURB: Sam Martin is in a pickle.

The male lead in her play broke his leg, and her best friend’s brother, Ethan Jenkins, refuses to turn down the dare to replace him. To make matters worse, Esme, the best friend and sister, has started seeing a new guy, and she can’t seem to see the glaring red flags that Sam and Ethan notice. Together, they must find a way to break through Esme’s limerence while not ruining their relationship with her… or complicating their budding romance.

Risk is a prequel novelette to Reverie exploring a moment of Esme’s missing memories through the eyes of Sam

The post Risk by Drew Taylor (Book 1.5) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Sports Romance
Summer Romcom
Bookish FMC
He Takes Care of Her
Only One Bed
Best Friend’s Brother
Forbidden Romance
Small Town
Slow Burn

: Innuendo, Very Descriptive Kisses
: 1 use of h*ll

OVERVIEW: Falling in love is easy. Finding the right guy to spend happily ever after with… that’s the hard part. 
But I have a foolproof plan. I’m taking the tropes that work in romance books and applying them to my love life.
Only one bed? Never fails.
Caring for someone when they’re sick? A classic.
“Who did this to you?” Seals the deal every single time.
So long, loneliness. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
But the more I try to force romance, the more feelings naturally progress with the one man who’s off limits: Walker Collins, the guy I’ve had a secret crush on since 7th grade, not to mention my best friend’s older brother.
Dating Walker crosses BFF lines I swore I’d never cross. Plus, he hates Sunset Harbor, and his pro golf career will take him off the island as fast as he came, sending me back to the land of singlehood, loneliness, and broken hearts.
At the end of the day, I don’t want to be the fool in my foolproof plan.

◆ Summer Ever After brings all the sizzle and chemistry without the explicit scenes and language. It’s the perfect romcom to make you laugh and fall in love.
◆ Check out the rest of the books in the Falling for Summer Series. Seven interconnected books from seven different romcom authors. One small island. Lots of romance.

Books can be read in any order:
Summer Ever After by Kortney Keisel
Beachy Keen by Kasey Stockton
Plotting Summer by Jess Heileman
Summer Tease by Martha Keyes
Beauty and the Beach by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
One Happy Summer by Becky Monson
Rebel Summer by Cindy Steel

Click the photo above to read!

The post Summer Ever After by Kortney Keisel (Book 1) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Click photo above to read!

MY REVIEW: Love the pride and prejudice references
India and Felix are seriously one of my favorite couples the banter between them is phenomenal!
I can’t believe he did that for her(iykyk)
Ahh I just loved this book so much it was such a fun read and I am so excited to read more in this series! Also the epilogue?!?! My heart can’t handle all the sweetness

Brother’s Best Friend
Small Town
Witty Banter
Slow Burn
Sizzling Chemistry
Sweet Romcom

: Kisses Only
: None

OVERVIEW: Once upon a time…I fell for my brother’s best friend.

I’m not proud of myself, okay? But these things happen when you’re young and impressionable. The point is, I got over it. I moved on.

Except now Felix Caine is back—back with his easy smile and sparkling eyes, and he’s making me an offer I (literally) can’t refuse. He needs help with a romantic article he’s writing, and he won’t take no for an answer.

The more time I spend with him, the more I remember all the reasons I fell for him before. But he’s not just my brother’s flirtatious friend this time. He’s my friend, too. And though he says he’ll never fall in love, I sometimes see his gaze linger with more than just friendship.

There’s a spark between us that wasn’t there before. And I don’t want to have any regrets in this relationship. But what’s a girl to do when the only way to follow her heart…is to give it away?

The post All’s Fair In Love And Blackmail by Gracie Ruth Mitchell (Book 1) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.