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 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 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.

I fell in love with these characters almost immediately and found myself completely invested in their story. Between the beach town setting, the slow burn romance, and the charming cast of characters, this was such an easy book to get lost in.

Lila was an absolute highlight for me She brought so much humor and personality to the story, and I found myself smiling every time she was on the page.

This felt like the perfect summer read, warm, comforting, and impossible to put down

And can we talk about Aiden? After finishing this book, I’m officially hoping he gets a story of his own because I would love to spend more time in this world.

Overall, this was such a sweet, feel good read that left me with a smile on my face long after I turned the final page

Tropes
Summer Romance
Hidden Identity
Billionaire MMC
Slow Burn
Beach Town
Single Guardian (Kind Of)

: Kisses Only
: None

OVERVIEW: A billionaire hiding from his future. A café owner rebuilding her life. One small beach town is about to change everything.

Max Bauer has a decision to make: agree to the marriage arrangement his father demands or finally choose a future for himself. The last thing he expects is to feel at home in Penrose Beach—or to fall for the guarded café owner who gives him a ride into town after his car breaks down.

Avery Parker didn’t move to the beach looking for love. She came for a fresh start. But somewhere between apartment renovations, town events, and late-night conversations, Max starts feeling less like a temporary visitor…and more like home.

There’s just one problem: Max’s real life is still waiting for him in New York.
And Avery already knows what it feels like to come second to someone else’s plans.

Click the photo above to read this cozy beach story!

The post Max Bauer’s Second Chance by Britney M. Mills appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

I was hooked by the story right away and loved the lighthearted, feel-good atmosphere. The romance was sweet, and there were plenty of moments that made me smile along the way.

While I personally would have loved a little more character development and a faster pace in some sections, I still enjoyed spending time with these characters and seeing their story unfold

One of my favorite parts of the book was the side characters. Heath had me laughing more than once, and Beau quickly became another favorite. Their interactions with Tristan added so much humor and charm to the story.

The ending took a little longer to get to than I expected, but I’m always a fan of a happy ending, and this one left me smiling.

Hidden Identity
Single POV
Slow Burn
Unrequited Love
Best Selling Author
Small Island

: Kisses Only
: None

BLURB: The book is always better than the movie. But occasionally, life is better than the book.

Ten years ago I made a mortifying, life-altering mistake. Now, this once seemingly insignificant choice is threatening to wreck my entire existence. And possibly throw Tristan Palmer—my next-door-neighbor and the guy I’ve had a secret crush on for the entirety of my life—into the fray unaware.

The mistake?

I am Sunny Palmer. As in the anonymous, best-selling author of over a dozen beloved romances and renowned thief of Tristan’s last name. Okay, not renowned yet, thank the high heavens! But that news will spread like wildfire if people discover that this introverted book nerd is the woman behind the pen name. And the fact that my first book, Secret Crush, is Tristan’s and my fictionalized love story leaves zero room for calling it anything but what it is—a travesty of greatest proportions.

That’s why NO ONE can know! Ever!

So it’s wretched luck that when I finally visit Sunset Harbor, the small-town island where I grew up, I run into the still heart-stopping, book-boyfriend-worthy man himself. And shockingly, Tristan seems intent on reminding me what the island has to offer. Because that’s what friends do.

Logic demands I resist his charm and guard my secret at all costs, which is why it’s vastly unfortunate that Tristan Palmer was and always will be … my greatest weakness.

Plotting Summer is a small-town island romantic comedy with the perfect amount of swoon and none of the explicit scenes or language. Read the rest of the Falling for Summer series–seven standalone romances with interconnected characters, all falling in love in Sunset Harbor.

Click the photo above to read this story!

The post Plotting Summer by Jess Heileman appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Micah completely won me over. His patience, kindness, and steady support of Harper as she worked through her faith journey and her feelings made him such an easy character to love. I especially appreciated the way he gave her the space she needed while still encouraging her along the way.

One of my favorite parts of this story was watching Harper grow in her faith and confidence throughout the book.

While the pacing felt a little slower at times, the heartfelt character development and meaningful themes made it well worth the journey.

And that ending? So sweet
I immediately wanted to pick up A Season to Fall as soon as I finished.

Tropes
He Falls First
Faith Themes
ADHD Representation
Fake Dating
He Takes Care of Her
Golden Retriever MMC
Slow Burn

: Kisses Only
: None

Content Warnings:
Brief Mentions of Alcohol
Emotionally Distant Parents
Past Relationship Hurt
Faith Struggles and Spiritual Doubt
ADHD Rep

BLURB: My friends just dared me to ask the most annoyingly decent man I know to be my fake date to the gala.
One night. Show up, smile, make my ex jealous. Go home.
The plan is simple. He plays the part, I get closure, and we both walk away like nothing happened.
Except nothing about him has ever been simple.
He’s steady. Faithful. All dimples and thick-framed glasses, the kind of man who shows up when it matters—and somehow sees more than I ever say out loud.
And the longer we pretend, the harder it is to remember what’s real.
I’m so busy trying to make the wrong man jealous, I almost miss what’s happening right in front of me.
When I thank him for this favor, he answers like he’s teasing. “You’ve found my weakness.”
“And that is?” I ask, but I can hear the truth behind it.
“You.”
It was supposed to last one night—a fake date, a favor, a friend I was never supposed to fall for.
It doesn’t.

Because some dares remain forever.

Dare to Fall is a clean, slow-burn Christian romance filled with fake-dating tension, friends-to-lovers longing, achingly honest faith questions, and swoon-worthy almost-moments. Perfect for readers who love protective heroes with terrible dad jokes, heroines learning the difference between striving and remaining, and love stories that lead you straight back to grace.

Click the photo above to read this story!

The post Dare To Fall by Amber Nicole 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.

MY REVIEW
Tell me why I fully intended to read “just a little” and somehow ended up completely hooked instead.
This story was such a fun, easy to fly through read with so many kick your feet, swoony moments.

And can we talk about that closet scene?!

If you love charming chemistry, sweet tension, and books that leave you kicking your feet a little, this one is worth picking up.

Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for Daisy and Jaime’s story.

Young Adult
Bad Boy x Perfect Girl
Enemies to Lovers
Ex-Childhood Friends
She Betrayed Him
He’s Back For Revenge

: Kisses Only
: 1 use of h*ll

BLURB
He’s the bad boy that she created.
And now he’s back for revenge.

My name is Eleanor Brighton, and I’m the perfect daughter.

P-E-R-F-E-C-T.

For the past four years, I’ve painstakingly built my life to be impressive in every way–great grades, steadfast maturity, and even dedicating to attend my dad’s alma mater in the fall to make him proud.

Except lately, it kind of feels like he resents me for it.

And now I have another problem.

Beckham Jennings is back in town.

Four years ago, the country club’s most-hated bad boy was chased out of town after setting one of the gardens on fire. Now he’s back with a smirk and a reputation, and he gives me a lazy promise:

He’s going to steal my heart.

As if it hasn’t belonged to him since I was eight years old.

But his words are more than some flippant game–they’re a threat. From the hard look in Beck’s eyes, it’s clear he hates me for what happened four years ago… and he should. Because it was all my fault.

The bad boy I created is ready for revenge… and for the first time in forever, I’m tempted to give in.

H-E-L-P.

Beauty and the Bad Boy is an enemies to lovers sweet YA romance, with all the swoon and none of the spice. If you like cinnamon roll bad boys, imperfect good girls, and swoonworthy slow burns, the first book in the Beauties and Boys duology is for you.

If this sounds like your kind of read, tap the photo above to grab your copy

The post Beauty and the Bad Boy by Sarah Sutton appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.