Romance level: Kisses Only
Language: None 
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Lily’s verdict: Absolutely adored

This was SUCH a fun read! The pranks and shenanigans had me laughing so much I seriously loved the creativity and never knew what these two were going to do next!

I absolutely loved the way the dual timeline was written. Ben’s POV takes place in the past while Maven’s is in the present, and the two timelines slowly come together as the story unfolds It made their history and everything that happened between them so much more interesting to uncover!

And the second chance romance was done SO well I loved getting to see Ben and Maven as high school sweethearts while also watching them navigate their relationship years later. There’s so much history, hurt, and love between these two, and I was completely invested in seeing them find their way back to each other.

But the vow renewal?! That absolutely got me. It was so incredibly precious and heart melting and such a beautiful payoff after everything they had been through.

This book had me laughing one minute and tearing up the next. Such a sweet, hilarious, and heartfelt second chance romance

Dual Timelines 
Small Town 
Second Chance Romance 
High School Sweethearts
Court Order Reconciliation
Pranks & Shenanigans 

BLURB: Their divorce never finalized. Neither did their feelings.

The discovery that I was still legally married — years after I thought my divorce was final — was supposed to be the worst thing to happen to me this fall.

It wasn’t.

Because apparently the state of Vermont believes in closure. And no regrets. And court-ordered thirty-day reconciliation efforts. So now, in order to fast-track my divorce from Bennett Walker—my high school sweetheart and the man who walked out on our marriage six years ago—I’m being forced back to the small town we grew up in to spend an entire month proving our relationship isn’t worth saving.

A situation Ben annoyingly finds amusing.

Which is why I plan to make this the most memorable, insufferable, torturous thirty days of his life. As a prank-loving aficionado, I have countless ideas about how to drive Ben crazy while keeping myself focused on the goal: finalizing our divorce.

With my life in New York and a career I absolutely love, not even deeply embedded habits and old feelings can threaten my resolve.

I’m resolved.

So resolved.

Absolutely, definitely, one hundred percent resolved. And if I keep saying it, maybe this time around, I’ll be capable of resisting the fall.

The post Resisting The Fall by Jess Heileman (Book 3) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Lily’s Content Guide

Romance level: Kisses Only 
Language: None 
Content Warning: infertility, chronic illness, dysfunctional family dynamics, losing loved one to cancer (off-screen, past), parent having a marital affair (side character, past), and mentions of postpartum depression/death of drug overdose (off screen, past)
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Lily’s verdict: Absolutely Adored

I absolutely adored this book I think this has officially become one of my favorite second chance romances. There was so much heart woven into this story, and I loved watching everything unfold.

Little Khia completely stole my heart Her bubbly personality was absolutely precious, and I loved every moment with her!

I also loved the relationship between the MCs and getting to see them navigate their history while finding their way back to one another. Second chance romance can be so hit or miss for me, but this one did it SO well

And the themes of grace, redemption, forgiveness, and faith were beautifully woven throughout the story. There were several moments that genuinely had me tearing up

Between the second chance romance, single dad sweetness, faith themes, and all the emotion, this one completely had my heart. Such a beautiful story

Hockey Romance
Single Dad
Faith Themes
Second Chance Romance
Chronic Illness Rep
Golden Retriever MMC

BLURB: I came home looking for redemption, not a second chance with the man my heart never forgot… 

Noelle:
Running away a month before my wedding was the hardest choice I ever made. But crawling back thirteen years later with my life in shambles might be worse.

I’m jobless and homeless with a laundry list of apologies to make. But as an eldest daughter, my motto is “I’m fine.” Only it’s not fine, and I’m tired of pretending.

I have a place to live, thanks to my conniving little sister, but my landlord is NOT supposed to be my ex-fiancé, hockey captain, Cal Satterfield. He’s not supposed to be my new boss either. But his daughter needs a nanny, and I’ve always been a sucker for those blue eyes.

I have plenty of bridges to mend, and Cal wants to break down the walls between us. Like a second chance is possible.

If only I were brave enough to believe it.

Cal:
Thirteen years, two months, and seventeen days.

That’s how long I’ve waited for the girl who got away. And finally, Noelle Shepherd is back.

Logically, I shouldn’t find her this enchanting. And I definitely shouldn’t hire her as my daughter’s nanny. However, logic has never been my strong suit.

It might be the worst decision I’ve ever made, or the second chance I’ve always prayed for. Because despite the history between us, Noelle is still the one I want to come home to.

I’ll do everything I can to prove to her I’ve changed. This time, I’m playing for keeps.

Click the photo above to read this amazing story!

The post Falling Back To You by Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht (Book 3) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Romance level: Kisses only
Language: None
Content Warning: past loss of sibling
Genre: Historical Fiction
Lily’s verdict: Loved it

Okay, there were definitely some tears shed with this one

I absolutely loved Violet and her fiery personality! Her banter with Cyril was SO much fun, and watching their relationship slowly develop throughout the story made the payoff that much sweeter. The rivals-to-lovers + slow burn combination was perfection

And young Cyril?! He was so incredibly sweet and precious with Violet. Their past added so much emotion to the story and made me even more invested in seeing where their relationship would go.

I also really enjoyed the dual timeline and getting to slowly piece together their history. There were moments that genuinely broke my heart, but that made the ending even more satisfying

And THAT ENDING!! Such a beautiful way to bring everything together

Overall, this was such a wonderful historical romance, emotional, sweet, full of fantastic banter, and a love story that was absolutely worth waiting for!

Rivals to Lovers
Historical Fiction
Dual Timeline
Slow Burn
Forced Proximity
“It’s Always Been You”

BLURB: Violet Whittemore has spent her life proving she’s every bit as capable as the men who doubt her. Opening Locke Hill College for Exceptional Young Women is her greatest triumph—a school where girls can learn, grow, and become extraordinary. But when her father appoints her childhood nemesis, Cyril Burke, as headmaster, Violet vows to fight for what she’s built. 

In a daring move, she proposes a challenge: for one season, she and Cyril will share the position. At the end of the term, the one who proves most successful will assume the role permanently. 

The two had always been rivals, sparring over books, facts, and games of marbles. But with Locke Hill’s future on the line, their old competition burns brighter than ever. And though Violet tells herself she can’t stand Cyril Burke, she can’t seem to look away from the man he’s become—handsome, confident, and far too compelling for her peace of mind. 

With the future of the school hanging in the balance, one season will decide who deserves to lead. But the closer they work together, the clearer it becomes that the only thing worth winning is each other’s heart.

Click the photo above to read this fantastic story!

The post Hearts Of Locke Hill by Krista Jenson 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.

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.

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 (Book 1) 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.

I went into this book completely blind, and I’m so glad I did. From the very beginning, this story had me emotionally invested, and I found myself reaching for tissues throughout the entire book 

The journey Zev and Rosalie go on was beautiful, heartbreaking, and ultimately so rewarding. Their story carried so much emotion, and I couldn’t help but root for them every step of the way.

One of my favorite parts of the book was the community surrounding them. The love and support from their friends added so much warmth to the story and made several moments even more emotional

And chapter 15? If you’ve read this book, you know exactly what I’m talking about

This was the kind of story that lingers long after the final page. Five stars honestly didn’t feel like enough for this one. It was a beautiful, unforgettable read that will stay with me for a very long time

Tropes
Second Chance Romance
He Takes Care of Her
He Yearns for Her
Book Lovers
Anxiety Rep
Sports Romance 

: Kisses Only
: 3 uses of p*ssed

BLURB: She needs time. He needs a miracle.

Rosalie doesn’t remember getting a teaching degree, her best friend’s wedding, or meeting Zev. In her mind, he simply doesn’t exist. Instead, she’s stuck with panic attacks, people who swear they know her, and the unsettling realization that six years of her life have apparently gone missing.

Moving to a new city, she’s determined to keep her head down, survive the anxiety, and maybe win her memories back from the universe.

Instead, she finds herself hiding out in books in her favorite café looking for solitude. Tall, redheaded, and buried in a novel, is almost always sitting across from her. He’s got broad shoulders, a handsome face, and absolutely no interest in bothering her. Perfect.

And yet… he feels oddly familiar, like a page torn from a fantasy she doesn’t remember reading.

Zevulun, however, has no trouble remembering.

He shows up at the Sugar Pine Café every Monday for one reason. Her. Rosalie is the love of his life. The woman he was building a future with. And now she doesn’t recognize him.

But Zev knows her inside and out. He knows her favorite foods, her favorite books, and that one very ticklish spot at her hip. He’s going to use all that knowledge to remind her of what they had, to give them their second chance, and to get his girl back.

It may be a long, painful wait, a treacherous journey, but Rosalie is worth every step.

You Again is a closed door romantic comedy full of longing that will warm your heart and make you yearn for more!

Click the photo above if you want to read this amazing story!

The post You Again by Jen Atkinson (Book 4) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.

Side Note: I’m not really a fan of the multiple references to extremely explicit movies/books. It’s just my personal option but it kinda annoys me when that in “clean/no spice” books

Billionaire MMC
Summer Romcom
He Falls First
Workplace Romance
He Yearns For Her
Anxiety Rep

: Descriptive Kisses, Innuendo, contains multiple references to explicit films/media
: None

Content warning: death of parents(past tense), anxiety Rep, cancer(side character)

OVERVIEW: He has it all, except the one thing money can’t buy: her heart.

When Cat Keene finds a medical bill with the horrendous words final notice stamped across the front, she learns two things: first, her uncle/the man who raised her is keeping things from her for the first time in her life. Second, they need money—and fast—or they’ll lose the only thing she has left of her parents: the bed & breakfast she runs with him.

Noah Belacourt is a billionaire with a newly acquired anxiety diagnosis and a one-way ticket to Sunset Harbor for the summer, courtesy of his company’s board of directors. Being on the island he grew up on for a forced sabbatical has a major perk when he runs into the girl he’s harbored a crush on since they were teens. She’s still the same old Cat, except now she’s in some major financial trouble. Noah wants to help her, but Cat is stubborn. She holds onto past biases about his family and takes some convincing.

When Cat agrees to work as Noah’s personal assistant for the summer, she doesn’t realize she’s signing up for a lot more than debt relief. Some of her preconceived notions about the Belacourt family begin to feel wrong. Noah proves that not all first impressions are reliable, forcing Cat to face the past—and to hope that things will end up just peachy keen after all.

Because the alternative is losing everything that matters to her, and she is not about to let that happen.

Beachy Keen is a sweet romantic comedy with a billionaire, a longtime secret crush, and boss & employee dynamic. It’s part of the Falling for Summer series, seven interconnected stand-alones by seven amazing authors:

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

Come visit Sunset Harbor Island today!

Click the photo above to read!

The post Beachy Keen by Kasey Stockton (Book 2) appeared first on Lilys Reading Corner.