Tag: rom com

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Stand Up Guy – Nina Kaye

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Dumped by Instagram post. Not a whiff of a social life. Can it get any worse?

After a string of failed relationships – romantic and platonic – Lea’s had enough of watching life happen without her. When she bumps into Shep, a comedian at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in need of accommodation, it feels like destiny. And voilá – Lea now has a lodger and some company.
The two get on like a flat on fire, and Lea can’t resist falling for outgoing Shep. But she knows it’s a mistake that will cost her heart – he’s just another guy passing through, after all. And with Shep’s
stand-up routine edging him closer to his big break, there’s no way he’ll stick around.
Love is no laughing matter as the Fringe draws to a close. Can Lea find the confidence to step up and confess her feelings to Shep? Will he want to stay?
A feel-good, heartwarming romance for anyone desperate to break out of their shell and find their true self.

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Nina Kaye is a contemporary romance author living in Edinburgh. She is author of three other books for Canelo – Take a Moment, One Night in Edinburgh, and Just Like That. She has previously been a contender for the RNA Joan Hessayson Award.

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My thoughts: a fun, and funny, rom com set around the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with research scientist Lea and Northern Irish comic Shep brought together by happy accident. Lea makes a spontaneous offer to help out a stranger (Shep) and before they know it, they’re getting along like old friends. And then some.

Lea needs a little encouragement to step out of her shell and find some pals, Shep needs someone to believe in his comedy career, as he’s decided this is make or break time. There’s a cringey lunch with Lea’s parents, some new friends, lots of nights out and sleeping in late, and it’s both charming and entertaining.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Baby One More Time – Camilla Isley

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Driven and smart, Marissa Mayer has worked her way to COO at a major Fintech startup as well as launching her own successful app on the side. Now what she wants more than anything is a baby.
And having given up on love after her heart was broken by the boy next door, she’s prepared to do it alone.
Recently returning to New York from LA, Dr John Raikes is an expert in his field of neonatal medicine.
But when John introduces himself as Marissa’s doctor, sparks fly, and not in a good way. Because Dr John Raikes is no stranger: he’s her teenage sweetheart all grown up.
Marissa knows she should keep John at arm’s length, lest she have her heart broken again… But there’s something about a man in a white coat. And with John determined to show Marissa he’s changed, can she keep saying no when her heart is saying yes?
A gorgeously funny enemies-to-lovers, second-chance rom com, perfect for fans of Sarah Adams, Lynn Painter and Jo Watson.

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Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy and her first title for Boldwood, The Love Theorem, a Hollywood-meets-STEM romance, was published in June 2023.

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My thoughts: this was a charming, funny rom com with a slightly crazy premise (reminiscent of Jane the Virgin but with the ex!)

Marissa is in control of every other part of her life – her career, her friendships, her family, but now she wants a baby, and she’s fine with going it alone. Until a mix up at the IVF clinic and a really awkward encounter with her high school boyfriend turns everything in her life upside down.

Every single one of Camilla Isley’s books is lots of fun, and this is no exception. I really enjoyed it, and there’s some truly hilarious moments, and a few that left me cringing with secondhand embarrassment, poor Mari. I always want to be pals with the characters as they seem so genuine and I root for them every time.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: One Year After You – Shari Low

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For forty years the fabulous Odette Devine has been a beloved matriarchal actress on Scotland’s longest-running TV show.
Today she is broken, betrayed, and desperate to find out if this is her payback for a lie she told forty years ago.
A year ago today, Tress Walker’s husband was killed in a car accident, on the same day she gave birth to their baby. Reeling from the discovery that he was with his mistress, Tress has to choose whether
to protect her fragile heart or open it to love again.
Noah Clark was devastated to discover his wife and his best friend were having an affair. Now the love of his life is asking for another chance to make their marriage work. But can there ever be a way back, once the trust is broken?
Noah’s sister Keli Clark has recently been ghosted by the man she loves. When a shocking message from a complete stranger reveals the reason why, Keli will have to decide whether to forgive, forget,
or to make sure he pays.
Twenty-four hours. Four shocking secrets. One tumultuous tale of love, loss and second chances.

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Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 30 novels, including My One Month Marriage and One Summer Sunrise and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow.

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My thoughts: returning to the lives of the characters from One Day For You a year later, we find some things have changed and others are the same for Noah and Tress, as well as the delightful Nancy and Val. Plus we get some new characters to cheer for in Odette and Keli.

There’s more drama and it’s Buddy’s first birthday too, which he spends with all the people he loves. And there are a lot of them, lucky boy.

Noah and Tress are both trying to move on after finding out that their respective spouses were having an affair, and everyone keeps mentioning Shania Twain for some reason…

With Shani Low’s classic humour, delightful and entertaining stories, and those fabulous characters, it’s a joy to read.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: More Than Our Fake Vows – Katie Richard

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We’re celebrating the release of Katie Richard’s latest romance, More than Our Fake Vows! Read on for more details and visit one of our Bookstagram hosts for a chance to win a book box!

More Than Our

More than Our Fake Vows

Publication Date: December 12, 2023

Genre: Contemporary Romance

🎵Marriage of Convenience
🎵Friends to Lovers
🎵Slow Burn
🎵Small Town
🎵Spicy
🎵Country Music Star

After catching her fiancé cheating, Natalie leaves the city she’s grown to love. Starting over in Hickory Valley, Georgia, a one-redlight town that makes for the perfect escape, or so she thought. Natalie makes quick friends with a local bartender and they both decide to make a pact- no men for a year. Natalie doubles down on her career until a handsome stranger strolls into the bar and threatens her resolve.

Teagan’s gold-digging ex is threatening to ruin him, his band and anything else she can get her greedy hands on. Hickory Valley looks like just the place to hide out while the press calms down. Nobody would think to look for him in this dust covered farm town.

With a cruel twist of fate, Natalie finds herself needing a husband, and fast! A fake marriage could fix both of their problems and what did they have to lose? Neither Teagan nor Natalie wants an actual relationship, it only has to look real to everyone else.

A string of events, tests their friendship and when emotions run high are they able to keep their feelings at bay? Or will they fall victim to the other’s charm and throw caution to the wind?

Available on Amazon

About the Author

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Katie is an Indie Author who lives in Vermont with her husband and their children. When she’s not busy working, writing, or spending time with loved ones, she enjoys getting lost in a good book. Katie loves all types of gardening but especially enjoys flowers. When she’s not hard at work writing the next novel in the Destiny Of Graystone series or the standalone romantic suspense novels, she likes creating things in Canva or Procreate!

Katie Richard

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Blog Tour: The Hotel Room Mix Up – Kathy Jay

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Two weddings, three hotel reservations gone awry…and one weekend in Cornwall they’ll never forget!
When the similarities between Ella Swift and Callum Smith’s last names lead to a hotel room mix-up, they find themselves sharing a cramped cottage in Porthkara rather than the private luxury hotel suites they expected.
Each in town for a different wedding – and carrying more baggage than just the suitcases in their hands – the reluctant roommates are forced to share a shelter from the storm surge that sweeps in
off the Atlantic. But as the rain crashes down there’s a shift in more than just the atmosphere, and by the time the sun rises on a new day, Ella and Callum’s futures have already been forever changed…

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Author Bio
I live in Cambridgeshire with my family which includes a large dog and a cute cat. I love the changing seasons. I like pyjama days and cosy log fires in winter. In summer, my top things are strawberries
and walking on beautiful beaches in North Wales. I started writing my first romance on a vintage typewriter. Writing got put on hold while I studied for a degree in Drama and French. I’ve been an office temp and a bilingual PA in London. Now I’m a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and thrilled to write fun, flirty romance for One More Chapter.

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My thoughts: I love Cornwall and I love a fun rom com, so this was delightful, especially as a Cornish summer would be wonderful right now, instead of this horrible winter drizzle.

Ella Swift is a former actress headed to her friends’ circus themed wedding, Callum Smith is an IT genius headed to his sister-in-law’s wedding, but due to a mix up at the front desk, both are sharing a room, with one of the groom’s parents! Nightmare.

Instead they’re offered a tumbledown cottage that has at least two rooms, till the roof blows in that is! After not the most comfortable night, the pair awake to wedding chaos, the circus tent blew away, and there’s a missing bride. Luckily both Ella and Callum are quick thinkers and get their separate weddings sorted but somethings definitely begun…

Fun, funny and full of delightful characters, this is a book full of joy and love and should be on your wishlist now!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

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Book Release Blitz: Mistletoe Bluff – Emily Schneider

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Happy publication day and congratulations to Emily Schneider on the release of Mistletoe Bluff!

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Mistletoe Bluff

Publication Date: December 5, 2023

Genre: Holiday Romance/ Fake Romance/ Romantic Comedy

🎄 Enemies-to-lovers
🎄 Fake Dating
🎄 Forced Proximity
🎄 Sharing Body Heat to Stay Warm
🎄 One Car
🎄 Anxiety Rep
🎄 No Third Act Breakup

Fake dating my arch-nemesis during Christmas…what’s the worst that could happen?

One year ago, Oliver Lewis ruined my life by winning the community college photography contest—now he’s ruined it again by scratching my car.

Did I mention it’s Christmastime? Now, while my car is being repaired, I’m forced to let Oliver chauffeur me around Meridel.

But I’ve found a silver lining! If I win England’s most prestigious photo competition, I can finally pay off my debt and move forward with my life. The only problem is, one of the judges is Oliver’s father, and to better my chances, I have to get cozy with my arch-nemesis.

AKA: pretend to be his girlfriend for Christmas.

I thought it would be simple, but I did not expect that underneath that smug, arrogant exterior there’d be a sweet, thoughtful man who would find every excuse to be near me.

But it doesn’t matter. I, Maya Beck, will not fall for Oliver Lewis.

My future rests on winning this contest and nothing—and no one—will get in the

The Mistletoe Bluff is a sweet, closed-door romantic comedy with laugh-out-loud moments, sizzling chemistry, and swoony kisses.

This is the second standalone in the Sweet Meridel Romance series.

Get it Here!

About the Author

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2021 Best Indie Book Award® Fantasy Winner, 2022 Minnesota Author Project YA Fiction Winner, and 2022 Best Indie Book Award® Dragon Fantasy Winner!

Emily Schneider grew up in Minnesota where she spent most of her life studying music and singing, which ironically has nothing to do with writing fantasy or romantic comedy novels. While music had always been a passion, Emily could never get away from her love of reading and writing books full of dragons, Fae, monsters, magic, and romance. When she isn’t writing, you can find Emily chasing around her two dogs, Pixel and Frodo, playing Mario Kart with her husband, or watching The Lord of the Rings for the one-hundred-and-eleventh time.

Emily Schneider

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Blog Tour: Courting Samira – Amal Awad

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Set in Sydney, Australia, Courting Samira is a charming and frothy romantic comedy about a twenty­seven-year-old Palestinian woman who finds herself in an unexpected love triangle—a sparkling ode to meddling best friends, traditional courtship, The Princess Bride, and, of course, the possibility of love.

Coming from a moderately traditional Muslim family, twenty-seven-year-old Samira Abdel-Aziz has endured her fair share of arranged matches—first dates she calls “doorknock appeals,” where she and her possible suitors eat snacks in her living room in the company of both sets of parents. Her general rule: no shoes with tassels, no cheesy leather jackets, no mustaches. A girl has to have some standards, right? The truth is, Samira is already experiencing enough wedding drama as an assistant at Bridal Bazaar magazine and as a gofer for her soon-to-be-married cousin and nemesis Zahra. She’s not sure she needs to add any of her own.

When she meets the charismatic Menem at a work retreat, Samira finds herself intrigued. But her best friend Lara insists Menem isn’t right for her, and now her childhood friend Hakeem has begun behaving oddly. Adding to the confusion, Samira is seeking a promotion at work, yet isn’t sure it’s the job of her dreams. Suddenly, her life is full of drama and complications, and she realizes that part of growing up is making difficult choices about what—and whom—she really wants.

Amal Awad is a journalist, author, and screenwriter. She has written for Elle, The Guardian, and other publications and held senior editorial roles at a number of trade media publications. She has spoken at schools, universities, and writers’ festivals around Australia, and she facilitates workshops on diversity, multiculturalism, women’s issues, and pop culture. Amal is the author of eight books, including four novels— Courting Samira, This is How You Get Better, The Things We See in the Light, and Bitter & Sweet—and the nonfiction books The Incidental Muslim, Beyond Veiled Clichés, Fridays With My Folks, and In My Past Life I was Cleopatra. Courting Samira is the first of her books to be published in America.

My thoughts: Samira reminded me of some of my friends and their sisters, bound by tradition and family. She’s a 21st century woman determined to make more of her life than just as a wife and mother. She thinks she wants to be a journalist or perhaps a photographer. But she does also want to find the one – it’s just not so easy when you’re Muslim.

After a string of “door knock” disasters – hello Manga Boy – she’s fed up. Then she meets Menem at work and suddenly there’s a possibility. His brother is getting married to her bitchy cousin Zahra – which means lots of rushing around but also the potential for more meetings. If she can get best friend (and another cousin) Lara onside.

When Samira decides what she wants, from her career, from love, there’s nothing that can stop her. A funny, charming and delightful read with an equally entertaining protagonist.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

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Cover Reveal: The Hotel Room Mix-Up – Kathy Jay

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Two weddings, three hotel reservations gone awry…and one weekend in Cornwall they’ll never forget!

When the similarities between Ella Swift and Callum Smith’s last names lead to a hotel room mix-up, they find themselves sharing a cramped cottage in Porthkara rather than the private luxury hotel suites they expected.

Each in town for a different wedding – and carrying more baggage than just the suitcases in their hands – the reluctant roommates are forced to share a shelter from the storm surge that sweeps in off the Atlantic. But as the rain crashes down there’s a shift in more than just the atmosphere, and by the time the sun rises on a new day, Ella and Callum’s futures have already been forever changed…

Pre-order Links

Publication Date – 15th December

Author Bio 

I live in Cambridgeshire with my family which includes a large dog and a cute cat. I love the changing seasons. I like pyjama days and cosy log fires in winter. In summer, my top things are strawberries and walking on beautiful beaches in North Wales. I started writing my first romance on a vintage typewriter. Writing got put on hold while I studied for a degree in Drama and French. I’ve been an office temp and a bilingual PA in London. Now I’m a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, and thrilled to write fun, flirty romance for One More Chapter. My website is www.kathyjay.com

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@kathyjaybooktok

blog tour, books, reviews

Blog Tour: Chasing Dreams at the Wagging Dogs’ Home – Sarah Hope

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After a difficult break-up, Poppy is keen to put the past behind her and what’s better than some relaxing time with her aunt in the picturesque Cornish village of West Par.
But life at her aunt Flora’s Dogs’ Home is anything but relaxing. When a poor little pup is stranded at the gates, Poppy takes them for a check up at the local vet, hoping against hope they’ll be fine.
And there she meets Mack: the vet who is so charming and experienced with the dogs, but selfish and – dare she say it – money-grabbing with his clients.
But underneath that cold exterior, she’s sure there’s more to the story. If only she could convince him to open up. Because without him, the future of Wagging Tails isn’t so assured…
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Sarah Hope is the author of many successful romance novels, including the bestselling Cornish Bakery series.

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My thoughts: a book full of my favourite things – animals, Cornwall, romance, charming characters, yes please. Oh and it’s set at Christmas, which is a bonus if you’re into it.

Poppy moves in with her Aunt Flora, who runs the Wagging Tails Dog Rescue, and offers to help out while she gets herself together, after an ugly breakup. Bonding with Flora’s enthusiastic team, and the cute pooches, especially Dougal, abandoned in a box by the gate, Poppy soon realises that despite everything appearing to be ok, there’s a serious problem Aunt Flora has kept secret.

Falling for, and bickering with, new vet Mack, can Poppy help out Wagging Tails, save Aunt Flora, adopt Dougal and build a new life for herself in West Par? With some help, human and canine, she might just be able to do so!

Delightful, sweet, funny and full of doggos. What’s not to like? Go on, treat yourself.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Love is an Art – Kathy Strobos

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He hates lawyers. So I’m a lawyer pretending to be an artist. Forgetting one tiny detail: I can’t paint.


Tessa: There’s something about the way the blond guy laughs and leans in to listen. My gaze keeps returning to him.
The only problem is, we’re at an art gallery after work, and I’ve swapped my lawyer suit for a paint-splattered shirt. I’m pretending to be a struggling artist, acting as bait to entice a scammer who conned my friend out of thousands of dollars.
I look pathetic. But still, I approach Hot Guy.
Our glances meet, and an awareness shimmers across.
He offers to buy me a drink–we’re definitely flirting–and then he asks me what I do.
Just when Scammer Guy is in earshot.
I have no choice but to say I’m an artist. I can tell Hot Guy later that I’m not.
But then he says he hates lawyers.
Now what?


Zeke: She’s the worst artist I’ve ever seen.
And I hate that that makes me suspect that she’s lying to me. After my ex-girlfriend cheated on me, trust is in short supply.
She makes me laugh, and it’s one adventure after another with her. Definitely different from my workaholic lawyer ex.
Maybe it’s time to give love a second chance.


All is fair in love and litigation, but when truth and deception clash, can you trust your heart?


*The romcom books in this series are interconnected standalones set in the same world. Each can be read as a pure standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after.

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Kathy Strobos is a writer living in New York City with her husband and two children, amid a growing collection of books, toys and dollhouses. She previously worked as a lawyer before switching careers to write romantic comedies full-time and get in shape.

Born and raised in Manhattan, she loves writing about New York City and the accomplished heroines who live and fall in love there, amidst its vibrant energy and the aroma of homemade chocolate chip cookies. She is the author of A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts, Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real?, Caper Crush, My Book Boyfriend and Love Is an Art.
She is still working on getting in shape.

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My thoughts: this is another fun, and funny, rom com from Kathy Strobos, this time featuring a lawyer called Tessa, pretending to be an artist (for a good cause) and Zeke, a finance guy not pretending to be anything.

Tessa is helping out a friend by going undercover as an artist to catch a scammer who has been setting artists up and getting thousands of dollars out of them. It’s something she enjoys doing – getting justice. And not just at work, she also volunteers for a non-profit, helping out innocent people with legal advice and representation. Except she can’t tell Zeke that. 1, scam man is right there and 2, Zeke hates lawyers. His ex was one and that’s a big red flag for him.

But he likes Tessa, she’s fun, crazy things keep happening around her, he gets involved with her various investigations and when they work together on a case involving both of their employers, he can’t cope. How can he forgive her for lying to him and get over the whole being a lawyer thing?

Luckily Tessa is up to the challenge of winning Zeke over, and showing him that not all lawyers are the worst. Thankfully for us readers, there’s a lot of fun to be had while doing so. Also a lot of food, seriously don’t read this if you’re hungry, eat first. There’s also a cute dog and I love a pet in a story so good news all round. Enjoy!

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.