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, Mild Innuendo 
Language: None
Content Warning: Deception/lying throughout 
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Lily’s verdict: It was good 

This was such an entertaining read! I absolutely LOVED Marlowe’s grandma, she had me laughing so much She definitely stole the show with this one!

I really enjoyed the combination of second chance romance + fake dating, although I struggled with Jace’s character at first. The way he tried to make Marlowe seem like such a horrible person to his entire family was pretty off putting to me. And fake dating your ex to prove that she’s worse than your current (on-a-break) girlfriend? JACE. SIR. That is not a great look

He did redeem himself for me as the story went on, though! I especially loved how supportive and encouraging he was of Marlowe’s ideas and dreams

Overall, this was a fun, quirky second chance romance with plenty of family drama, ridiculous situations, and a meddling grandma who was easily one of my favorite parts of the entire book

Fake Dating
Small Town
Family Drama
Second Chance Romance
High School Sweethearts
Meddling Grandma

BLURB: He needs a fake girlfriend. She needs someone to watch her grandmother. It should have been the perfect business arrangement… if they hadn’t already broken each other’s hearts.

Seven years ago, Marlowe fell hard for Jace Clark. He was handsome, smart, and going places—going places, in this case, meant he went to college without giving her a second thought.

Yeah, she only cried for two weeks after he dumped her. And after that, she refused to ever tell another guy that she loved him. So, a normal teenage breakup.

Marlowe hasn’t gone places and still lives in the same small town, but that isn’t her fault. She’s the caretaker for her spirited grandmother, and keeping Grams out of trouble is harder than it looks.

Now Jace is back in Lark Springs for six weeks before finishing medical school, and his family has made it their mission to replace his on-again, off-again girlfriend. To avoid their matchmaking attempts, he decides his best bet is to fake-date Marlowe, and when he offers to stay with her grandmother so she can attend business classes, she can’t afford to say no.

A few fake dates shouldn’t be that hard.

Until the old chemistry comes back. Suddenly stolen kisses stop being pretend, and Marlowe realizes that the only thing more dangerous than falling in love again is realizing she never really fell out of it.

When it’s time for Jace to leave, will history repeat itself or will they find a way to rewrite their past?

The post A Longtime (and now fake boyfriend) Heartbreaker by Janette Rallison (Book 4) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Romance level: Kisses Only 
Language: None
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Lily’s verdict: A New Favorite 

I absolutely DEVOURED this book!! I finished it in less than a day because I genuinely could not put it down.

Some of these scenes had me laughing SO hard

BEETS?!?!? If you know, you know.

The banter and chemistry between the MCs was absolutely top tier I ate up every interaction between these twoand the fake dating combined with the it’s always been you?!? PERFECTION

This was everything I want in a fall romance. small town vibes, hilarious moments, swoony chemistry, and a romance I couldn’t get enough of

I think this has officially earned a spot on my favorites list

Fall Vibes
Workplace Romance
Fake Dating
Flirty Banter
Small Town
It’s Always Been You

BLURB: The relationship is fake. The feelings are not.

Ari Langford thought rock bottom looked like a breakup, an empty bank account, and moving back in with her parents. Then her younger sister got engaged.

Now Ari’s back home in Vermont, watching the entire town lose their minds over the “wedding of the century” while her mother keeps trying to set her up with every single man within a fifty-mile radius. That’s rock bottom.

The only bright spot? Wade Stevenson.

Unfortunately, Wade is also the problem.

The charming high school principal has a reputation for flirting first and thinking later, and half the town is still waiting for him to screw up so bad he loses his job. So when a student’s inappropriate crush threatens to turn into dangerous rumors, Wade needs a respectable girlfriend fast. Ari needs her mother off her back. Fake dating seems like the perfect solution.

Until the lines between fake and real start to blur.

Because suddenly they’re sharing cider donuts at the fall festival, sitting by each other at the football games, and spending more time together than either of them planned. The closer they get, the harder it becomes to remember where the act ends.

And Ari’s not sure which is scarier: Wade breaking her heart or realizing he actually could.

The post Fall Fake-Out by Kortney Keisel (Book 6) 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.

If you’re looking for a book that feels like crisp autumn mornings, cozy sweaters, and all the swoony moments, this is one to add to your fall TBR It had me smiling from beginning to end and was such a fun, feel good read!

Celebrity MMC
Fake Dating
Fall Vibes
Forced Proximity
Yearning
Second Chance Romance

: Kisses Only, slight innuendo
: None

: death of loved ones(past tense)

BLURB: What’s a movie star to do when giving up the spotlight could hurt the ones he loves most?

My agent has this idea—an insanely bad idea—to reboot my Hollywood heartthrob status by having my long-lost love dump me … while I’m proposing to her on national TV.

The theory? Women everywhere will swoon over poor Lincoln James, scrambling to repair his vulnerable, shattered heart.

Trouble is, I don’t have any kind of love—long, lost, or otherwise.

To play my fake girlfriend, my agent enlists Hadley Morgan, my secret college crush. The one who dragged me to an audition that launched my career but left her in the dust.

Upping the ante, she offers Hadley a slot on the show she missed out on years ago. When the alternative publicity ploy is for reporters to dig up dirt on my family, I’ve got no choice but to go along with the ruse.

That’s why I’m in Harvest Hollow now—as one half of the dream couple HadLink—at least until Hadley explodes our relationship during a very public proposal.

Our breakup’s built into this deal. Too bad I’ve got real love for this woman.

But if I come clean, I risk Hadley’s big break, my family’s painful past, and my own rebooted heart …

Click the photo above to read this adorable story!

The post Faking The Fall by Julie Christianson (Book 1) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Jaime is no longer just a green flag…he’s an entire forest

And HE KEPT THAT PIECE OF PAPER IN HIS POCKET?!?! My heart simply could not handle it. Every little moment between Jaime and Daisy had me smiling, swooning, and completely invested.

Sarah Sutton has officially become an auto-buy author for me. There was something so incredibly sweet and comforting about this story that I never wanted it to end.
This was one of those books that has you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page. Absolute perfection

Fake Dating
Friends to Lovers
YA
He Falls First
Bookish MMC
Never Been Kissed

: Kisses Only
: 5 uses of h*ll, 1 use of G*d

QUOTES
“Daze…you act like I’m not exactly where I want to be”

*You’ve thought about kissing me these past few weeks,” he went on, shuffling his feet apart to bring himself lower, “but I’ve thought about kissing you for years.”

BLURB: He’s her shy, quiet, and bookish best friend…
And turns out to be the swooniest fake boyfriend ever?

My name is Daisy Carmichael, and I’m used to being disappointed.

My four younger siblings need me, my mom depends on me, and somehow I’m always the one holding everything together.

Except when my dream college waitlists me, sealing off my dream of escape, I don’t know how much longer I can keep it together.

Even worse, my ex is back in town. The same ex who dumped me without warning last fall. Now he’s asking for another chance, and despite everything, a big part of me wants to say yes.

Which is where Jamie Brighton comes in.

My quiet, bookish best friend has always been there when I need him. So in a moment of desperation, when I ask him to stop me from making a terrible decision, he agrees.

By kissing me at a party.

In front of everyone.

Now I have a new plan: fake date Jamie, get over my ex, and survive the summer with my heart intact. Except fake dating my best friend is a lot harder than I expected.

Especially when I find out Jamie is really good at pretending…

And I’m not sure I want him to anymore.

Click the photo above to read this adorable story!

The post Beauty and the Bookworm by Sarah Sutton (Book 2) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

It took me a little while to settle into the story, but once I did, I found it to be such a heartwarming read with characters that were easy to care about.

Personally, I would have loved a little more detail in the ending. I felt like a few things wrapped up a bit quickly, but it didn’t take away from the heart of the story.

One thing to note is that commitment issues play a significant role in the plot, so if that’s a trope you tend to avoid, it’s worth keeping in mind. As well as the miscommunication trope.

Ethan completely stole my heart He was such a precious addition to the story, and every scene with him made me smile.

And all of the Princess Bride references? Absolutely loved them

Overall, this was a sweet, cozy romance with heartfelt moments and a message that lingered long after I finished reading.

Tropes
Best Friends to Lovers
Fake Dating
Slow Burn
Faith Themes
Lake Cabin Setting
Wildlife Photographer MMC

: Kisses Only 
: None

BLURB: Aspen won’t put down roots, and Mia is afraid to fly.

By-the-book Mia has every moment of her life laid out in glittery color-coded ink. Her world is neat and tidy, and she knows exactly what she wants. The one thing she can’t seem to keep organized is her travel-happy lifelong friend. Aspen—restless and endlessly chasing the next adventure—is building his career as a nature photographer, and spends his days anywhere but home. Each goodbye is chipping away at something Mia can’t quite put her finger on.

When Aspen announces he’s leaving on his longest assignment yet, Mia realizes she’s tired of waiting for a someday that never seems to arrive; tired of post cards, phone calls with bad reception, and emails in the place of real connection. When she decides it’s time to call it quits, a desperate Aspen tells one small lie: one that lands him an invitation to Mia’s family lake cabin for the week.

The catch? Everyone thinks they’re dating.

Now, surrounded by family, cozy bonfires, and a lake cabin that holds memories around each corner, Aspen and Mia must pretend their love story is more than fiction. With Aspen’s departure looming and Mia’s patience stretched to its breaking point, they have one week to figure out the real reason hurts so deeply to let go.

Because pretending to be in love seems easy, until real feelings get involved.

Click the photo above to read this story!

The post Love Is For The Birds by Halli M. Castro appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. Between the charming banter, the growing romance, and the suspense woven throughout the story, I found myself saying, “Just one more chapter” long past my bedtime

Luca completely won me over. The way he cared for Charlotte and made her feel seen, valued, and loved was one of my favorite parts of the story. Their relationship developed so wonderfully.

The mystery added just the right amount of intrigue without overshadowing the romance, creating the perfect balance of heart and suspense.

This was such a wonderful addition to the series and once again Laura Beers delivered a story I couldn’t put down I think I found one of my new favorites

Tropes
Historical Fiction
Hidden Identity
Fake Engagement 
Suspense & Mystery
He Falls First
Enemies to Lovers Vibes

: Kisses Only
: 3 uses of d*mn

BLURB: Unmasking the truth means risking everything—even love.Miss Charlotte Winslow may be the diamond of the Season, but beneath her flawless exterior lies a secret—she writes for the Society pages. Years of hiding behind her carefully crafted mask have left her doubting her own worth and believing happiness to be a luxury meant for others. That is, until she crosses paths with Lord Luca Dexter—an infuriating, perceptive man who sees far too much and refuses to be ignored.

Luca may be the younger son of a duke, but unlike most men of his rank, he earns his living as the owner of The London Gazette. When he discovers Miss Winslow’s secret talent, he’s determined to recruit her to write for his newssheets. But Charlotte refuses to be reduced to mere gossip columns—if she writes for him, it will be for something that matters.

Luca and Charlotte agree to have her write something of substance. When their investigation uncovers a dangerous conspiracy, Luca finds himself torn between his growing affection for Charlotte and his desperate need to protect her. But Charlotte is not a woman who wishes to be saved. And as tragedy looms, Luca must risk everything—including his heart—to rescue the one woman who taught him that love is worth unmasking for.

As the seventh novel in the Courting the Unconventional series by author Laura Beers, Unmasking the Debutante continues the series. This is a light-hearted, clean and wholesome romance set in the Regency era. All books in this series have their own Happily-Ever-After and are best enjoyed in proper order.

Click the photo above to read this amazing story!

The post Unmasking The Diamond by Laura Beers (Book 7) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

The enemies to lovers dynamic was so well done because they spent so much time walking that fine line between frustration and affection. One minute I was swooning at their interactions, and the next I was completely rooting for them to make up

And can we talk about Mags? She completely stole my heart.

The only part that wasn’t quite my favorite was the miscommunication trope. While I understood why the characters reacted the way they did, I found myself wishing for more communication along the way

That being said, Tenny absolutely won me over. He was so thoughtful, caring, and easy to root for, and I loved watching the relationship develop as the story unfolded.

Most of all, I appreciated the way these characters did eventually work through their challenges and found their way back to each other. And that epilogue? Absolutely perfect.

Workplace Romance 
Golden Retriever MMC 
Sports Romance 
Reporter FMC
He Falls First 
Millionaire MMC
Meet Kiss
Splash of Fake Dating 
Enemies to Lovers

: Descriptive Kisses 
: None 

BLURB: Their banter is relentless. Their chemistry? Even better off-screen. 

Behind our dazzling interview smiles, Tenny Jackson and I bicker nonstop—especially when our long-ago meet-cute kiss revealed he’s as much of a player off the field as he is at first base.

Tenny insists I’ve got him all wrong, but I won’t let sculpted forearms and a swoon-worthy smile distract me from the facts…or my professional goals. Even if he weren’t my enemy, dating a player would sink my credibility faster than the wave that wiped out my surfing career. 

Then my eccentric grandmother shows up, and Tenny and I have to fake it off-camera too. Private dinners, family movie nights, and his hands-on fixer energy push me toward the unthinkable—calling a truce.

Between squashing Tenny’s pre-game superstitions and him encouraging me to get back on a surfboard, it’s getting hard to deny we’re rounding first on something real. But when a disastrous game-day fiasco turns us into a headline, it’s not only my job on the line—it’s my heart.

Click the photo above to read this amazing story!

The post Love Between Innings by Laura Langa (Book 1) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Dustin was an easy favorite from the very beginning. He’s the definition of a golden retriever hero—kind, caring, and impossible not to love

And can we talk about Dustin’s mom? Her 70s slang had me laughing the entire book. She brought so much charm and humor to every scene she was in.

This story was filled with so many sweet moments, but the one that completely stole my heart? He sings her to sleep I don’t think I’ll ever recover from that.

Between the baking competition, the cozy small-town feel, and the lovable cast of characters, this book felt like wrapping up in a warm blanket with a favorite dessert and settling in for the evening.

By the time I reached the last page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters. I already can’t wait to read more in this series

Golden Retriever MMC
Baker FMC
Fake Dating
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
Baking Contest

: Descriptive Kisses
: None

BLURB: Talk about making a bad first impression.

The rookie at Waterford’s fire station literally hauled me out of my own home—over his shoulder. Was my kitchen on fire? Yes. Did I have it nearly contained? Also yes.

And now he’s been tasked with making up for his overzealous rescue attempts by showing up to my bakery to grovel daily. And beg for my donuts.

Don’t get me wrong, the man is built like a redwood, has the personality of a golden retriever and eyes you could get lost in for days.

But I’m not dating. Not after my last serious boyfriend left town without looking back. I’m devoted to three things: my hometown, my bakery, and my friends.

That is until an opportunity to enter a baking contest catches my eye. And I need a partner. Enter the rookie. Yes, the same one who easily lifted me and slung me over his shoulder. My best friend and business partner, bless her heart, suggests we fake a relationship—just for the sake of the contest. It seems like a simple fix.

Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m going to fall for him. I’m immune to his charms. Mostly.

Fire and Icing is a sweet, closed-door romcom with kisses that might require a fire extinguisher. This stand-alone story is the first in the series The Firemen of Waterford TN.

Click the photo above to read this story!

The post Fire and Icing by Savannah Scott (Book 1) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.