The Honeymoon Cottage by Lori Foster

 

At 31, Yardley Belanger is really good at her job as a wedding planner—organizing other people’s happy ever afters. Yardley doesn’t care that she has zero love life...all the eligible guys in Cemetery are men she grew up with, and none of them interest her anyway. She’s put her heart and soul into her business and has built a reputation specializing in country weddings—complete with a cottage by the lake for honeymooners—attracting happy couples and their families from all around.

Travis Long had to take on too much responsibility too soon. When their parents died, he took care of his younger sister, Sheena. For years, it was just them against the world. But now his baby sister is getting married, and Travis is struggling to accept this change. He thinks Todd isn’t good enough for Sheena, and without meaning to, Travis is noticeably judgmental of his sister’s intended.

Travis and Sheena are in town to plan her country wedding. Travis wanted something classier for his sister, but then he meets Yardley. He notices she puts her heart and soul into everything, and that she really listens to what the bride wants. Yardley has this no-nonsense way of interpreting what his sister says and doesn’t say.

How the hell is he falling in love during wedding prep for his little sister? Easy. He never expected to meet someone like Yardley Belanger.

A great start to a small, quirky town series set in Cemetery, Indiana. First story features Yardley the local wedding planner and Travis whose sister seeks the services of Yardley's business. Yardley is also trying to change some of the town's ordinances and has to befriend seemingly difficult Betty, all the while dealing with her mother and aunt who are just as difficult. She does it will grace and humor with the help of her friend Mimi and others. Travis and Yardley try to keep their agreement to take their relationship slow until after his sister Sheena's wedding, but they are finding it difficult. A fun, heartwarming read

*Thanks to HQN Books/Netgalley for this review copy*

Lori Foster is a New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author with over 10 million books sold. She received the Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews and her books have been chosen as editors picks by Amazon multiple times. Foster is actively involved in charity work, and all of the author proceeds from her anthologies have gone to various organizations, such as the Animal Adoption Foundation, the Conductive Learning Center, and One Way Farm. She lives in Ohio with her high school sweetheart.

Beach House Summer by Sarah Morgan

 

When Joanna Whitman's ex-husband, one of California's most beloved celebrity chefs, dies in a car accident, she doesn't know what to feel. Their dysfunctional marriage held more secrets than she cares to remember, but when she discovers a young woman was with him in the crash--who's now in hospital, on her own, and pregnant --Joanna sees red. How dare he ruin yet another woman's life? More than anyone, Joanna knows the brutal spotlight this girl is going to find herself in...unless she can find a way for them both to disappear?

Ashley can't believe it when Joanna shows up in her hospital room and offers to spirit them both away for the summer to her secluded beach house on the Californian coast. Joanna should be hating her, not helping her. But orphaned and pregnant, Ashley can't turn Joanna down. Even though she knows that if Joanna ever discovers the real truth of why Ashley was in her ex's car, their tentative bond would never hold.

Together, they escape to the beach house, nestled high above the sleepy Californian town where Joanna grew up, and left without a backward glance. Joanna's only goal for the summer is privacy, but her return creates waves in the community, not least for the best friend she left behind. Both Joanna and Ashley are hiding secrets, but as they fall under the spell of their summer home - and draw on each other's courage - these unlikely friends realize that to seize the futures they want, they must step out of the shadows and into the sunshine.

When Joanna's ex-husband dies in a car accident she is surprised to be in the limelight once again. She wants to be done with it all. When the young woman who was in the car is identified she knows her instantly and knows that Ashley will need her help despite her wanting to hide away until the scandal dies down. The press wants to know who Ashley is and who is the father of her baby. Joanna invites her to her childhood home that is secluded despite leaving heartbroken over 20 years ago. Ashley is grateful and they soon begin to help each other move forward. A great story of friends, family, forgiveness and second chances.

Sarah Morgan is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of contemporary romance and women's fiction. She has sold more than 21 million copies of her books and her trademark humour and warmth have gained her fans across the globe. Sarah lives with her family near London, England, where the rain frequently keeps her trapped in her office. Visit her at www.sarahmorgan.com











*Thanks to HQN/NetGalley for this review copy*

The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery

Robyn Caldwell’s family is driving her crazy. There’s Harlow, her daughter, who’s engaged to a man she’s only known a short time and is rapidly turning into bridezilla. And her son, Austin, who would rather work with his dad’s family charter boating business than go to college. Her friend, Mindy, who’s playing with fire by contemplating an affair with her tennis instructor. And let’s not forget her ex-husband whose bad behavior has just crossed the line yet again.

Robin needs some time to catch her breath and figure out what her next step should be. So when her beloved aunt Lillian asks her to come to Santa Barbara for an overdue visit, Robyn jumps at the chance. Her aunt Lillian is working on settling her affairs and a distant relative is staying with her that stands to inherit the house. Trouble is the last thing Robyn needs, but she refuses to let her aunt be taken advantage of.

While staying in her aunt’s beautiful, quirky mansion and spending time in the Santa Barbara sunshine with the woman who’s like a mother to her, Robyn will see herself—and the people she loves most—with a bit more clarity. And it will push her to take chances she hadn’t dreamed of before.

But life has a funny way of following you wherever you go. What began as an escape soon becomes an unforgettable adventure…and Robyn is ready to dive in, feet first.

Title

Single mom Robyn has some decisions to make to fulfill her divorce settlement. She has been putting these decision off far too long. The man she is dating turns out to be a jerk, her daughter is turning into bridezilla, her son's plans don't include college, her best friend is contemplating a decision that will ruin her life and to top it off her ex-husband is dating her daughter's future sister-in-law. Robyn has had enough and needs an escape.  When her Aunt Lillian invites her to come out and get a start on cataloging the antiques, Robyn jumps at the chance.  Maybe this time away will help her with the decisions.  Things are going well and then everyone follows her!!  A family drama that is filled with lots of emotions, new romance and reconciliations. 

SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship and romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic situations," and readers seem to agree—forty million copies of her books have been sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier place to live. Susan grew up in California and now lives in Seattle with her husband. She's passionate about animal welfare, especially that of the two Ragdoll cats and adorable poodle who think of her as Mom.

*Thanks to HQN Books/NetGalley for this review copy*