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.

The mystery itself was entertaining, and I enjoyed following along as everything unfolded. It had all the charm of a classic whodunit with a cozy atmosphere that made it an easy read.

For me personally, I found myself wishing for a little more depth in the relationship between the main characters. While I enjoyed the mystery, I never fully connected with the romance the way I had hoped, which made it a little harder for me to become completely invested in their story.

But Toby? He was easily my favorite character! I have a soft spot for dogs in books, and he added so much heart and charm to the story.

Overall, if you enjoy cozy mysteries with small-town charm, nostalgic detective vibes, and a touch of romance, this one is worth checking out.

Tropes
Single POV
Cozy Mystery
Slow Burn
Nancy Drew/Scooby Doo Vibes
Workplace Romance
Forced Proximity

: Kisses Only
: None

BLURB: Rookie journalist Daphne and war photographer Clark investigate a missing maid and rumors of Bigfoot sightings—uncovering danger, buried lies, and unexpected romance deep in the Pacific Northwest wilderness.

Rookie investigative journalist Daphne Drew is finally on assignment—though it’s not exactly the hard-hitting story she imagined. Sent to cover a high-society wedding at an opulent Pacific Northwest lodge, Daphne expects floral arrangements and champagne flutes, not whispered rumors of a missing maid . . . or reports of Bigfoot sightings. 

She’s not alone. Tagging along is Clark Finklestine-Henry, a decorated war photographer with a haunted past—and a camera sharp enough to catch more than just candid reception shots. Together with their loyal dogs, Daphne and Clark begin to suspect something much darker is lurking in the forested shadows of the hotel grounds. 

As wedding guests arrive and tension simmers beneath the surface, Daphne and Clark uncover a tangled web of lies, legends, and lost fortune—one that ties the vanished maid, some returning friends, and the infamous DB Cooper together in a mystery that’s anything but folklore.

Click the photo above to read this story!

The post You Had Me At Bigfoot by Nancy Campbell Allen appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

From the very beginning, I found myself completely invested in these characters. Their chemistry felt so natural, and I loved watching both of them grow individually and together throughout the story.

One of my favorite characters was Stella She brought so much humor and warmth to the book, and every scene she was in had me smiling. She was the kind of grandmother everyone wishes they had.

This was such a sweet, feel-good read filled with heart, growth, and a romance that was easy to root for. By the final page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters

Tropes
Single Parent
Marriage of Convenience
Sports Romance
He Takes Care of Her
“My Husband”
Love After Loss

: Kisses Only
: None

BLURB: It’s strictly business—no feelings allowed.

Nola 
I’ve mastered the art of playing it safe. As a single mom to my spirited ten-year-old daughter, I can’t afford risks—especially after being blacklisted from my corner of the art world and relegated to painting landscapes. Then, at my sister’s bachelorette party, I’m dared to make a bold move that throws my carefully controlled life a curveball. I kiss a stranger. It seems innocent enough until I run into him again at my daughter’s school and he proposes we get married.

Maxford 
Baseball was my life until a scandal cost me my Major League contract. Now I’m starting over as a P.E. teacher in a new town, taking care of my eccentric grandma, and trying to rebuild my reputation one day at a time. When the same woman who kissed me at a bar shows up in my life again, I create an unexpected solution to our career problems—and a crazy proposal that could benefit us both.

A marriage of convenience promises to solve everything. I need respectability and credibility to be picked up by a team again, and she needs gallery connections to reclaim her place in the art world. But stolen glances turn into genuine laughter, and pretend touches spark very real desire. When we’re both offered everything we thought we wanted, we face the ultimate choice: our dreams, or each other?

Click the photo above to read this fun story!

The post Painting The Corners by Ella Beachley appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

This story hooked me from the very first chapter and never let go. The banter between the characters had me smiling the whole way through, and the romance was filled with so many moments that had me giggling and kicking my feet

The suspense kept the pages turning, and I found myself saying, “Just one more chapter,” long past my bedtime. Every twist made it harder to put down.
And can we talk about the romance? The protective hero, the “my wife” moments, and the way he quietly yearned for her absolutely stole my heart

This quickly became one of my favorite reads, and I already can’t wait to see what Jenessa writes next.

Tropes
Opposites Attract
Grumpy x Sunshine
Protective MMC
“My Wife”
Forced Proximity
He Yearns for Her
Only One Bed

: Descriptive Kisses Only
: None

BLURB: Thea

I’m fine. Really.
My latest breakup? Not a big deal.

Which is why I still took the trip—the one where I was supposed to get engaged. Alone. Totally normal.

Getting mugged in Mexico? Also not a big deal. Sure, I can’t remember where I’m staying, but I’ll figure it out. I always do.

At least there’s a broody, mysterious stranger who says he’ll help me.
Problem is… I’m not sure he’s on my side—especially when our faces start showing up on the news for a crime we didn’t commit.

He’s guarded. Dangerous. And definitely hiding something.

But whatever secrets he’s keeping—and whatever trouble keeps finding us—I don’t have a choice.

If I want to make it home alive…I have to trust him.

Pierce

I don’t fail missions. Ever.

So how did this one spiral so far out of control?

It was supposed to be easy. Get the drive and get out.

But my contact is gone. Enemies are closing in. And somehow, I’ve picked up a civilian who has no idea what she’s walked into.

Now Thea is my responsibility, and while getting her home safely should be simple, things only get worse around every turn.

She looks at me like I’m more than what I am. Like I’m someone worth trusting. Wanting.

I’m not.

I walked away from every relationship that mattered six years ago—and I’m not looking for another one.

But the longer this mission drags on, the harder it gets to remember why.

The mission has shifted. Get Thea home, before they catch us. But what if it’s not safe there either? How long will I have to protect her?
Runaway Rule is an light-hearted adventure romantic comedy full of mystery and chaos.

Click the photo above to read this amazing story!

The post Runaway Rule by Jenessa Fayeth appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

This book had me smiling from beginning to end. Nathan and Gracie completely won me over, and I found myself rooting for them every step of the way

And those notebook notes? My heart absolutely melted. The way Nathan encouraged Gracie, supported her dreams, and was always cheering her on made him impossible not to love. He was such a thoughtful, caring hero. If I have one complaint, it’s that I would have loved a few chapters from Nathan’s POV!

I also really enjoyed the side story involving Gracie’s mom and her dating life. It added an extra layer of charm and humor to the story and was so much fun to follow along with.

Overall, this was such a sweet, heartwarming read that left me with a smile on my face long after I finished

Single POV 
Small Town 
Biker MMC
Dating Coach x Dance Coach 
Faith Elements 
Slow Burn 
Sizzling Chemistry 
Opposites Attract 
Summer Romance 
He Only Smiles For Her

: Kisses Only 
: None

BLURB: Gracie Rhodes has a secret. She’s just moved back home with a degree in dance after finishing college, and while her family and old dance studio are ecstatic to have her back in Sweet River, she recently had an audition that might whisk her away to NYC.
She’s not telling anyone…except for Nathan Hadaway, the older brother of her longtime crush, but only because she ran into him in New York during her secret audition. Luckily for her, she never sees Nathan around anymore.
Or never did…until he shows up at the dance class she’s teaching over the summer to pick up his niece. But maybe it isn’t so bad to have someone she can talk to about her big opportunity?
Nathan and Gracie decide to do more than just swap secrets: if she’ll give him dance lessons so he can help his niece for the upcoming Father and Daughter dance competition, he’ll play matchmaker and give her help in the dating department.
Nathan proves to be a pretty bad matchmaker constantly distracting his student from her potential suitors. And as a dance instructor, Gracie can’t seem to find anything wrong with being in his arms.
Gracie’s not sure where her future leads…except that she just might want to spend it with Nathan.

Click the photo above to read this sweet story!

The post Gracie’s Guide To Dating by Rebecca Jo Jackson 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 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 appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

I loved watching the relationship develop from tension and friendship into something deeper. The chemistry between the characters felt natural, and their story kept me invested from beginning to end.

One of my favorite parts was the humanitarian aid trip to Uganda. It added so much heart to the story and gave the characters opportunities to grow in meaningful ways

And can we talk about Archie? As someone with arachnophobia myself, I couldn’t help but smile whenever it came up. I don’t think I’ve ever read a character who shared that fear, and it made him feel even more relatable.

Overall, this was a sweet, heartwarming read with lovable characters and a romance that was easy to root for.

Neighbors
Enemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Trauma Surgeon FMC
Sports Romance
Dual POV

: 1 use of h*ll
: Kisses Only

BLURB: He’s her arrogant neighbour, her sworn enemy… and the one man she can’t get away from.

Archie Wilcott is my egotistical, insufferable neighbor—and I hate him.
He has zero concept of hygiene, thinks he’s royalty just because he can kick a football, and has far too many abs for one human being.
What? It’s not like I can avoid them—he practically lives half-naked in our residence’s gym and pool.
See why I’ll never give up my building?
Luckily, I’m escaping for a while. The hospital finally granted me enough days off for a humanitarian mission in Africa. Helping people is my jam, and it’s exactly what I need after yet another breakup I should have seen coming.
Bonus: it’s 6,400 kilometers from London—and from my infuriating neighbor.
Or so I thought.
Because the moment I set foot in the camp I’ll be calling home for the next few weeks, I’m greeted by a football—straight from the feet of my enemy.
What is Mr. Selfish doing in a rusty Ugandan camp?
And more importantly, why can’t I seem to escape him… no matter how far I run?

Glove to Hate You is a sports romcom with spark—perfect for readers who love banter, sparks, and a hero who falls hard.
It’s part of the London Regents FC series, where tension is high on and off the pitch—and love is always part of the game. All the books are interconnected standalones and can be read in any order.

The post Glove To Hate You by Marion De Re appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

I found myself feeling for both characters throughout the story. Libby had been through so much, and while her hesitation was understandable, there were moments when my heart especially went out to Jordan as he tried to navigate the mixed signals and uncertainty.

One aspect I really enjoyed was the suspense element. The mystery added an extra layer to the story and kept me interested in seeing how everything would unfold

Overall, this one had some enjoyable moments, but I personally would have loved a little more emotional depth and relationship development between the main characters.

Marriage of Convenience
Billionaire FMC
Only One Bed
Suspense Elements
Slow Burn 
Golden Retriever MMC

: 1 Fade to Black scene that is very non-descriptive, Kisses Only 
: None

BLURB: This marriage is strictly a business deal. Zero romance and zero chance I’ll let a charming guy ruin everything again.

Ten years ago I blew up my life on national television. Now I’m taking control of the narrative—buying a hockey team and trading on the sport’s popularity to guarantee that everyone is paying attention when I step back into the spotlight on my terms.

There’s just one problem. The league board won’t approve the deal unless I look … stable.

So I propose to my new consultant, former pro hockey player, Jordan Atkinson.

That’s right. Propose marriage … nothing says stable like an impromptu engagement.

Now we’re telling the world we’ve been secretly in love for six months—convincing my family, surviving the cameras, and pretending this is all very real.

Because it’s not supposed to be.

Except Jordan is exactly the kind of man I swore I’d never trust again: charming, confident, and way too good at getting past my defenses. So I set rules. Firm boundaries.

But he keeps proving me wrong. Respecting my limits, showing up when it matters, and making me question everything I thought I knew about men like him.

And that’s the most dangerous story of all.

Libby Bennet Fakes a Husband is a closed-door, marriage of convenience hockey romance with a one bed situation, forced proximity, and a heroine who refuses to be charmed by the hot hockey player.

Click the photo above to read this story!

The post Libby Bennet Fakes A Husband by Ranee S. Clark appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

I’ve seen people call this story an emotional masterpiece, and after finishing it, I completely understand why. This was such a beautiful, heartfelt read that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
And that ending… It was everything I hoped for and more. Beautiful, emotional, and deeply satisfying.

If you’re planning to pick this one up, keep some tissues nearby—you may need them.

Neighbors
Enemies to Lovers
He Takes Care Of Her
Messy Mates 
Forced Proximity 
Transplant Recipient 
Faith Themes

: Kisses Only 
: None 

Content Warning: past loss of parent, heart transplant, past drunk driving, past loss of Sibling, grief, heartbreak

BLURB: Years after a life-saving heart transplant, Liv Karlsson lives in the fragile space between gratitude and fear—thankful for every heartbeat and afraid of when they might stop. Running her family’s cozy Swedish bakery gives her purpose, but mounting financial pressures and the shadows of her past leave her wondering: Is she truly living . . . or simply existing?

Then Hunter moves in next door. Guarded, cynical, and annoyingly attractive, he’s everything Liv avoids—and he’s also unfortunately her roommate’s cousin. But when he unexpectedly steps in to help Liv save the bakery with a new marketing plan, their reluctant partnership sparks something neither one is prepared for. He pushes her. Challenges her. Sees her. Suddenly, the girl who’s spent years protecting her heart finds it racing for someone who might just understand her better than anyone ever has.

But just as Liv begins to imagine a future worth fighting for, a devastating revelation threatens to unravel everything. Now Liv must face the ultimate test: Will she find the courage to love, or will fear take it all away?

Click the photo above to read!

The post Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.