Tag: inheritance

REVIEW: Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon

REVIEW: Main Character Energy by Jamie Varon

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Poppy Banks has always wanted to be a writer. But life has not gone like she planned. It’s gotten so bad she’s ready to give in to her critical mother’s constant negativity and give up writing completely.

But Poppy’s mysterious aunt isn’t going to let her just quit. She leaves Poppy her exclusive writer’s retreat – at a villa in France. In order to inherit, Poppy has to live there for six months and write a novel.

Without hope for writing, Poppy is tempted to bide her time and sell the villa to dig herself out of the hole. But her aunt was the only one who ever seemed to believe in Poppy. And it would be ungrateful to not let her aunt’s plans unfold and just see how things might turn out.

Review

This was excellent! Early on I really connected with the writing of this novel – the way the author described and phrased things. I would mark pages with especially good passages. But before long I was captivated by Poppy – by her struggles, the family drama, the war within herself between confidence and fear. I didn’t want to put this down.

A lot of the conflict in the novel is internal for Poppy, so in some ways this was a little more introspective than you might expect from a “romance.” I liked it this way. While there are several moments of emotional conflict, for the most part this is light on tension and turmoil, which I loved. (Language, sex – TW: attempted sexual assault)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

REVIEW: The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Grayson is drawn to Phoenix to help the younger sisters he has never met. But the line between helping them in their current circumstances and protecting them from the truth gets hard to walk. If necessary, he’d rather have them hate him in order to keep his secrets – for everyone’s sake.

Jameson’s father draws him into a challenge he can’t resist. Make his way into a secret gaming establishment and retrieve what his father lost. Jameson’s never been one to walk away from a challenge – especially if it can connect him to the family he’s never known.

Two of the four Hawthorne brothers might be running personal missions – but they are never alone. Avery, Nash, and Xander are always ready to lend a hand.

Review

This is a continuation of the Inheritance Games series – and readers really need to have have read that whole series for this to make sense. In fact, I wish I had at least re-read Final Gambit for a refresher before diving into this.

The emphasis here is on the brothers rather than Avery (although she does play a part). I have never connected with Jameson in the earlier books, so him telling half the story here really made it hard for me to get into this initially. Grayson’s story was a little easier for me to enjoy.

By the end, though, I was completely in the groove. I loved any time the four brothers were all together. (Xander is my favorite by far – I *need* a Xander-focused story!) The ending of both stories was great, and the next book is set up nicely at the very end. Fans of The Inheritance Games should absolutely pick this up to continue the story of these characters.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ – Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady

REVIEW: The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Libby and Hannah inherited a PR firm from their beloved grandmother, but they are struggling to keep it afloat. Then Lou, a self-help guru, walks in.

Lou is vetting PR firms for the launch of a new product line. In order to compete, Hannah and Libby have to follow Lou’s system to break out of comfort zones so they can work from that experience if they get the job. Hannah is challenged to go on 12 first dates, and Libby has to do a fitness challenge.

While both women work on their programs – with significant help from one another – the process leads them to revelations, and love, they weren’t expecting.

Review

This was excellent! I usually enjoy dual point-of-view books, and this does an excellent job with the voices and insights of both sisters. And the set up with the 12 week challenges was fantastically done.

I liked both Hannah and Libby and was completely engrossed in their surface stories – the lost love/reconciliation, the physical challenges, the business challenges. But when both women get to the deeper parts of their individual journeys, I was riveted. I didn’t want to put the book down.

This was a delight from start to finish. I loved every bit of it. This was the perfect book to kick off my summer reading season – I recommend you give it a try. (Language, sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

REVIEW: The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

When her father dies, the only ways for Lady Camembert to inherit are for her to marry a man – something she has no interest in – or pretend to be one. So she moves away – somewhere no one will know her with only one servant – and becomes Count Camembert.

And that plan might have worked if she was content with a quiet life at home, mostly on her own. But “Count Camembert” can’t resist a party and eventually becomes friends with Princess Brie. And before long, she’s fallen in love with her. But the princess can never know the truth.

Review

While I don’t read historicals often, when I do the idea of women fighting to keep their inheritance is a theme I gravitate toward. I love those stories. But I think I prefer them in prose over graphic novels. I found myself wanting more here.

That said, I did enjoy this graphic novel. The characters were fun and the artwork is gorgeous. I think readers will get a kick out of the cheesy references and Cam’s journey to the freedom to wholly be herself.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath

REVIEW: Never Rescue a Rogue by Virginia Heath

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Giles has been keeping the secret surrounding his birth for years because he knows the consequences of the truth getting out are too dire. Possible jail for him and the Duke. And a different heir who would destroy the legacy and everyone who counts on it.

But something has spooked the Duke into shoring up his lineage. Before he can take any action, though, he’s dead and Giles is left holding both the estate and the secret. He needs help.

Diana is thriving in the independence granted her by her sister’s marriage. And she’s certain there’s only bickering and one-upmanship between herself and Lord Bellingham. But he’s in a place where he could use a friend – especially one as adept at investigation as Diana is. So they team up, each resistant to the pull between them, determined to free Giles from his trouble and then return to their constant bickering.

Review

What a fantastic sequel to the delightful Never Fall for Your Fiancée! This is all I hoped for after I finished the first book. I enjoyed the shift to Diana’s story and the bickering and banter with Giles. The mystery they team up to solve is also supremely satisfying. I was completely captivated by it to the point of being oblivious to everything going on around me until I finished. Logically, Vee’s story will be next, and I am here for it, first because this series has been exceptionally good, but also because of the hints at a possible direction for that story. I can’t wait!

Historical romance fans, and fans of the first book should not miss this one! I think newcomers can start here. You’ll be missing some of the family context, but the central story can stand alone. But you will definitely want to read both books in this great series! (sex)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

REVIEW: The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Avery has not only solved several of the Hawthorne puzzles, but her one year at Hawthorne House is almost done. But before she can start thinking about her 18th birthday celebration and what she might do first after her inheritance becomes official, the whole Hawthorne world is turned upside down.

A new Hawthorne puzzle.
Dead girl look-alikes.
Kidnapping.
And a race against the clock for someone important to the family.

Review

I know that summary is a bit thin, but I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn’t read the first two books. I know there are folks who will only read a series when the whole thing has been published so they can blitz through it from start to finish. And this is a fantastic series to do that with. I zoomed through a re-read of The Inheritance Games and The Hawthorne Legacy (♥♥♥♥♥) before I started this, and the whole series is supremely satisfying.

Having read all three recently, I have to say this book has a more serious tone than the earlier books. The stakes are higher than ever. You may need to carve out time to read this in one sitting. I didn’t want to put it down.

I was thrilled with this final installment. It delivered on almost everything I wanted – and on several things I didn’t know I needed. Like the epilogue and bonus story in my Barnes and Noble Exclusive edition!

I believe strongly that this series should be read in order. It’s the best way to work through the puzzles, mysteries, and reveals. This is a not-to-be-missed conclusion. And since this published in September, the author has revealed there will be a couple more books set in this world, so watch for those! (This book includes couples sharing bedrooms, but no specific references to sex.)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch

REVIEW: Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Griffin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Theirs was a marriage of convenience. Emmeline offered to help William with his career in exchange for a whirlwind wedding to ensure she got to keep the family home. As the first to wed, she was guaranteed the house in the short term. To keep it, she needed to bear a child.

When that didn’t happen, Emmeline fed her family a series of… stories… about their son, Malcolm and daughter Flora, expecting (hoping) no one would ever find out the truth.

But now the family patriarch has called everyone to gather for his birthday. So Emmaline and Will need two children. Immediately. Preferably ones who know how to behave properly in society.

They have to settle for George and Rose, two orphans they take in on a “trial” basis. Once the family makes an appearance at the big birthday celebration, they should be off the hook forever more.

Review

This was an interesting story. Predictable in a lot of ways. There are no real surprises with this, except maybe the sheer number of lies the family resorts to over the course of the book. And the story is not really a romance in my opinion.

While William and Emmeline do discover a spark while they deal with her deception and their attempt to keep the house, most of it is conveyed in glances and internal observations for the two characters. It’s only a tiny piece of the larger story.

The salvation of this for me was how likable the children are – and Will and Emmie, too. And I especially enjoyed how the household staff responded to the situation.

If you like stories with endearing children and a ton of hijinks, you should definitely pick this up. If you are looking for a romance, this one may be a disappointment. Lower your expectations and focus on the family story instead, and you might get a kick out of this one.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: The Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick

REVIEW: The Restoration of Celia Fairchild by Marie Bostwick

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and William Morrow in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Celia is still grieving the loss of her marriage (lousy cheater!) when she gets a response to her “Dear Birthmother” letter. Afraid her divorce will disqualify her from consideration, Celia drops the name of her famous alter ego – Calpurnia, the advice columnist. And it works. She has three months to find a big enough place to raise a child before the lawyer and birthmother come for a home visit. That also means she needs a raise at work.

Instead, Celia loses her job and inherits her Aunt Calpurnia’s home in Charleston. This might just be the silver lining in a season of clouds, loss, and sadness for Celia.

But the lovely, stately home of Celia’s childhood bears little resemblance to the disaster she has inherited. Calpurnia was a hoarder, and the house and yard are in miserable condition. But with a whole lot of work, Celia could have a home – and a neighborhood – where she could raise a child. But she’ll have to be willing to take a lot of chances to get there.

Review

Oh, this was lovely. It’s a delightful “found family” story that hit all the right notes for me. Celia is fantastic – the sort of person I would be friends with in real life. I loved the community she builds and the journey she is on. I would absolutely read this again.

The story really clicked for me when Celia got settled in Charleston. And as someone who kept a journal for a someday baby (who is now graduating from high school), I really connected with Celia’s journal entries for Peaches.

The only thing that didn’t really work for me was the romance. It was logical, but I never felt any real chemistry for them as a couple. Thankfully, though, the story is really about Celia – about her situation with the house, with being a mother, and with the community of people around her. The romance is a very small part of the story.

You do not want to miss Celia. Put this book on your reading list asap – it’s delightful. (TW: Infertility/adoption)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it ! Would read again.

REVIEW: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

REVIEW: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Avery is doing what she can to get by. After the death of her mother, her half sister, Libby, took her in. Their mutual father is long gone. But in a couple years, Avery will finish high school, go to college for something to pay the bills, and then she can travel to her heart’s content. They may be scraping by, but Avery is making the best of things.

Then the prissy, proper, authoritarian boy shows up at her school. He can’t be much older than Avery is, but he kicks her principal out of his own office. And he tells Avery she is required to attend the reading of his late grandfather’s will.

Tobias Hawthorne, billionaire. Avery had never even heard of him. Why would she have to be at the reading of his will? Turns out, he named her heir of almost his entire estate.

To inherit, Avery has to move into Hawthorne House with Tobias Hawthorne’s family – his mother-in-law, his two daughters, and his four grandsons. But nothing is what it appears. The house is full of secret passages, and Tobias loved challenging the boys to different games. The only question is what games were in play when Tobias named Avery in his will? And what games might his family be playing to get Avery out of the way?

Review

This was fantastic! I loved almost every moment. Avery is excellent as a protagonist. She’s bright and determined, but also down to earth and relate-able. She would fit in well with the author’s other excellent characters. The four Hawthorne boys are a delight. I wanted more time to get to know each of them. I still have questions and want to know more about all four of them.

There are several mysteries at play which swirl around Avery – whispers of another girl involved with the grandsons, Avery’s connection to Tobias, the attempts to get her out of the way, and the games and puzzles in the house and on the grounds. I loved every bit of it. I would have read hundreds of pages about the house even if they had nothing to do with the main questions of the book because it was all so fascinating.

Frankly, I was disappointed with the wrap up of one of the main questions of the book. I was expecting… MORE I guess, something bigger. I went back and re-read the climax scene and the second read gave me a better sense of satisfaction, but it still wasn’t the punch I wanted. But…

The last few pages launched several new questions – or at least pulled some of the secondary questions from this novel into the spotlight. And I am SO excited to read a sequel and find out what else Tobias Hawthorne – and Jennifer Lynn Barnes – have in store for these characters! (Some language, LGBTQ+, CW: Domestic violence/abuse, grief/loss)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥= Great! Might re-read

 

BONUS REVIEW: Murder Wears a Little Black Dress by Debra Sennefelder

BONUS REVIEW: Murder Wears a Little Black Dress by Debra Sennefelder

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Kelly is back in her home town, Lucky Cove, following the death of her grandmother. Kelly’s grandmother left her a consignment shop. The timing is actually pretty perfect as Kelly just lost her New York fashion job and needed somewhere to land. But Kelly’s uncle is pressuring her to sell the place, and her one employee is resistant to any changes Kelly wants to make in the store.

And then there is the “murder dress.” A local “psychic” comes into the store, tries on a little black dress, and has a vision of murder. Before Kelly can get a handle on things, the story drives customers away, and she becomes the suspect in a different murder.

Kelly is determined to get to the truth before someone else is killed or her grandmother’s business is ruined. But a fashion buyer might not be well equipped to find a murderer, no matter how many Nancy Drew books she read as a kid.

Review

I enjoyed the mystery in this one! The solution was a nice surprise, and the whole case kept me guessing. While there is a supposed psychic in this as well as an impromptu seance that Kelly disbands rather quickly, there isn’t a “paranormal” vibe in the story. It’s a fairly straightforward cozy mystery.

The characters developed slowly for me. There’s a lot of history with some of them from long before this particular story, but I didn’t feel like it was thoroughly explained. It didn’t impact the mystery, but considering the impact of the event on the whole town, I wanted the full scoop. Supposedly the “whole town” blamed Kelly for an accident in her youth. But the details on how they determined Kelly was “at fault” by NOT being there and why some characters even had a stake in the event wasn’t clear. And then there wasn’t a lot shown in the story to back up this idea that the “whole town” blamed Kelly. It was just stated a lot.

I was happy to see some of the secondary characters call Kelly out on her rescuing behavior and poor boundaries as this case developed. She didn’t know any of the folks involved in the case, but she is all in on protecting someone who seems to only cause her trouble. Kelly’s friends are very forgiving even after calling her out. I hope in future books she’ll be a little more careful. This was another part of the story that diminished some of my reading enjoyment. Boundaries are a big deal.

I’ll stick with this series at least through another book to see how the story and characters develop, especially since the romance angle was only teased in this book. As I stated earlier, the mystery itself was great!

Rating: ♥♥♥½