Review of Haven Moon (Crescent Moon Ranch Book 4) by Tess Thompson

 

Harvest Moon

She’s running from the worst night of her life. He’s the cowboy who could give her a future—if her past doesn’t catch up first.

Sammie Scott never meant for anyone to die.

All she wanted was to escape her husband’s violence and build a safe life for her daughter somewhere he could never find them. But in one terrible, life-altering moment, Sammie is forced to choose between staying to face his powerful family—and a possible murder conviction—or running to protect the only person in the world who needs her most.

So she runs.

A new name. A new town. A rented room at Crescent Moon Ranch.

Bluefern, Montana, is supposed to be temporary. A place to hide. A place to breathe. A place where her little girl can sleep without fear. But the Moon family has a way of making broken people feel like they belong, and no one does that more quietly or more dangerously than Thad Moon.

Thad is steady, kind, and protective in all the ways Sammie stopped believing a man could be. He sees too much—the way she flinches, the way she watches the door, the way she keeps one foot pointed toward escape. He knows Sammie Scott is hiding something. He is not even sure that is her real name.

But it doesn’t stop him from falling for her.

Or for her little girl.

Thad wants to offer them a home on the land his family has loved for generations, but he can’t protect them from a danger he doesn’t understand. And Sammie knows the truth could cost him more than his heart. It could bring trouble straight to the family who took her in when she had nowhere else to go.

As her past closes in, Sammie must decide whether to keep running—or trust Thad with the truth before it’s too late.

Haven Moon is a clean and wholesome, small-town cowboy romance about a single mother on the run, a protector hero, found family, healing after heartbreak, and a love strong enough to outrun the past.

Perfect for readers who love: single-mom romance, protector heroes, small-town Montana settings, ranch romance, found family, emotional healing, romantic suspense elements, cowboy heroes, and heartfelt happily ever afters.

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate links included)

Check out the entire Crescent Moon Ranch series! Also in Kindle Unlimited.

**My thoughts**

We always knew that Sammie had a hidden past. She joined the ranch earlier in the series and has always kept to herself. Now we finally get to find out what she and her daughter are running from. And we finally get to watch her and Thad officially fall in love, because we have all seen it coming. 

They complement each other so well both at work and in life. Thad is protective. Sammie is nurturing. She and I both melt when we watch how easily little Chloe has taken to him. Neither one of them wants to hurt the other one.

As always happens when one runs from her former life, Sammie's past is catching up to her and threatens to take away everything she has built in this small town. True to their family legacy, the Moons are going to protect her, because Slurfpig goes beyond just the original seven. It's significant that Chloe even has one that she carries around with her! 

This installment of the series was probably the fastest one that I read. It has a suspenseful twist, all of the swoons, and just keeps you falling more and more in love with all of the characters. I also need to find a real-life Crescent Moon Ranch to visit one of these days!

Trigger warning: There are stories of abuse in this one. They don't go into graphic detail, but could still affect some readers. Domestic violence, animal cruelty, and child abuse. I appreciate that Tess included a trigger warning at the beginning of the book. 

Review of When Stars Dance at Midnight (The Midnight Stars Saga #4) by Tess Thompson

 

When Stars Dance at Midnight

She’s sunlight in human form. He’s spent his life in the shadows.

Betsy

I’ve spent my life caring for others—easing pain, offering comfort, healing wounds no one else wants to touch. But mine? They’ve stayed buried deep, hidden beneath humor and smiles. When George died, something inside me broke. And falling for a man who’d lost his memory only reminded me how dangerous it was to love someone you couldn’t fully know. Now, I pour everything into my work as a nurse… until Dr. Gabriel Stone shows up, cloaked in secrets, and starts chipping away at the walls I swore I’d never lower again.

Gabriel
Grief sent me running. Away from home, away from guilt, away from everything I couldn’t fix. But then I met Betsy Westbrook. She’s sunlight in human form—too bright, too good, and far too tempting for a man who’s done as much damage as I have. Every moment with her feels like grace I haven’t earned. And I know that if I let her in, I’ll want more. Too much more.

The fourth installment in the beloved Midnight Stars Saga, When Stars Dance at Midnight is a heart-stirring American historical romance set against the backdrop of postwar 1940s New England. Rich with emotion, tender moments, and second chances, this unforgettable love story explores the healing power of compassion, the resilience of the human spirit, and the quiet strength found in love after loss. Perfect for fans of clean wartime romance, emotionally layered characters, and sweeping family sagas that linger long after the final page.

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate links included)

Check out the entire Midnight Stars saga! Free in KU!

**My thoughts**

As soon as I got to the end of the third book in this series, I knew that I needed to know what was going to happen to Mireille's best friend Betsy. While not blood-related to Mireille and her mother - the central characters in the first books in the series - Betsy is still part of the family, as her family essentially adopted Mireille when she came stateside. She suffered her own loss and traumas during the war, just like the rest of them, and needed to have her own love story finally come to fruition.

In the previous book, Betsy was truly full of life, sparkling everywhere that she went. By the time we get to this installment, she has lost some of that shine. You know it's still deep in there, but sadness has overshadowed it. In fact, she even sets out to look for a book about grief to help her cope and to turn things around again. She finds it, and in doing so, literally runs into the solution to fill the holes in her heart and life. It's a man named Gabriel Stone, the new doctor at the hospital, who is also trying to soothe a broken heart and trauma.

It's a mix of a historical romance with a bit of the grumpy-sunshine trope. Gabriel is grumpy and understandably averse to love after the loss of his wife. He has walls up everywhere. Betsy is the sunny one, though a bit dimmed. They provide a balance to each other that serves them well at the hospital, making them the perfect team. And then, of course, that spills over into their personal lives. But there's always a catch that could potentially derail them as they find their way to each other.

Along the way is subtle commentary about lead contamination in children and our disrespect of veterans struggling to find basic necessities like adequate housing. Both feel like more modern problems, but they were even happening back after the Second World War. (How have we not solved these problems yet?)

Then in traditional Tess fashion, you have the wealthy family setting a benevolent example by using their privilege for good instead of being greedy. It's a message I would love all of the wealthy to hear and follow.

This may not have been my favorite installment of the saga, but it was necessary to round out the story and give it a sense of completion. It does stand on its own, but you will want to read the whole series to truly enjoy the experience. I know I'll come back to it again some day.

Read reviews of the entire series:

1 - When Stars Fall at Midnight

2 - When Stars Rise at Midnight

3 - When Stars Dream at Midnight

4 - When Stars Dance at Midnight

Review of Harvest Moon (Crescent Moon Ranch Book 3) by Tess Thompson

 

He's a brilliant chef with a passion for food and fly-fishing. She's a pastry chef craving a fresh start. Is love on the menu — or will the past she left behind ruin the perfect pairing?

After losing her beloved aunt and surviving a terrifying ordeal with a stalker, Elliot is ready to disappear into a quieter life. So when she's offered the job of pastry chef at a charming dude ranch in western Montana, she packs up her broken heart and heads for Crescent Moon Ranch.

It feels like the fresh start she's been praying for.

Until she meets her new boss.

Caspian Moon is a gifted chef, a devoted member of the Moon family, and exactly the kind of man who makes a woman forget why she came to Montana in the first place. Thoughtful, talented, steady — and completely off-limits.

At least, that's what he keeps telling himself.

Caspian has always believed in rules, especially the one about never dating an employee. The ranch matters too much. His family matters too much. And Elliot — with her quiet strength and irresistible talent — matters more than he ever expected.

But some connections refuse to stay professional.

As Elliot finds her footing in the kitchen and in the Moon family's warm, chaotic world, she starts to believe a new life might truly be possible. Maybe even love. But the past she ran from isn't finished with her — and when danger follows her to the ranch, she and Caspian must decide whether fear gets the final word.

Or whether two hearts, bruised but still brave, can build a future sweeter than anything they ever imagined.

Harvest Moon is a clean and wholesome, small-town romance about fresh starts, forbidden attraction, family, healing, and the kind of love that feels like coming home.

Perfect for readers who love: chef romance, workplace romance, small-town Montana settings, protective heroes, fresh starts, family sagas, emotional healing, cozy ranch romance, and heartfelt happily-ever-afters.

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate links included)

Check out the entire Crescent Moon Ranch series! Available in KU.

**My thoughts**

Caspian has had a special place in my heart ever since I met him in Mama Moon. He is the little boy who was different from his siblings. Ranching and "typical boy things" just were not his speed. His love was the kitchen. It took an understanding and loving mother, and later stepfather, to appreciate this in him and to encourage him to hone his skills. Now he is fully grown and running one of the best kitchens in the area, right on the family's Crescent Moon Ranch.

Now he is in search of a new pastry chef to take on the desserts. Along comes Elliot, a talented young woman in search of a new start in life. She wins over Caspian with her secret ingredient in flourless cake to cement her job, and then the kitchen really starts to heat up. 

This one is a slow burn romance, with these two laying a strong foundation of friendship and respect, both in and out of the kitchen. You know they are perfect for each other because of their instant attraction, easy dance while working, and an understanding of the restaurant industry. And believe me, if you've never worked in it, you'll never really understand it. 

Of course, there is a reason that Elliot is seeking a quieter pace of life, and you know that past is going to catch up to her at some point. The twist of that truth was definitely unexpected!

I love this couple and would love to have a Caspian of my own. Let me just say that their first date is one for the books! And the family wedding also has plenty of memorable moments. I think I laughed and cried the whole time.

And of course, I adore the Moon family. I think you will, too. There's a whole series to enjoy. Read them in order, but they can also work as standalones.

Review of Without Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Peel

 

Can their love conquer pride and prejudice?

Ever since I first read Pride and Prejudice at twelve years old, I’ve dreamed of being Elizabeth Bennet. That dream is now about to come true. I, Monroe Wilde, the woman some could argue isn’t exactly Elizabeth Bennet material, have been chosen to play the beloved heroine for one week at Pride and Prejudice Park, a destination experience for Jane Austen devotees. To make this dream even more amazing and surreal, my best friend, the Duke of Blackthorne, Alastair Fitzroy, has volunteered to play my Mr. Darcy.

If this wasn’t fantastic enough, it appears my broody and ridiculously attractive best friend, who I’ve done my best not to fall in love with, wants to be my real-life Mr. Darcy as well. But there are some gigantic obstacles standing in our way. For starters—I’m not exactly duchess material, and we run in very different circles. Dating me would most certainly make him a social pariah. But the biggest problem of all is that, well . . . I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but somehow after a horrible mishap at the park, I find myself more than just pretending to be Elizabeth Bennet—I land smack dab in the middle of the actual Pride and Prejudice story.

So since I’m here and unsure whether it’s a dream or if Pride and Prejudice really is heaven, I figure I’ll just help move things along and make sure everyone gets a happy ending, even Mr. Collins. But leave it to me to mess up the quintessential love story of all time. What happens if I can’t get Mr. Darcy to fall in love with Elizabeth? Will I ever get back to Alastair? Will I ever become the Elizabeth I so wish to be? And I have to wonder: can my world exist without Pride and Prejudice?

USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Peel presents an enchanting friends-to-lovers story with a Pride and Prejudice twist.

Available on Amazon (KU!)

(affiliate links included)

Also check out the companion novel, Desperately Seeking Mr. Darcy by Becky Monson!

**My thoughts**

I have been a fan of Becky Monson's since her debut novel. So when Desperately Seeking Mr. Darcy came out, I was first in line to gobble it up. And then I knew I absolutely had to read Without Pride and Prejudice, the companion novel by Jennifer Peel. I needed more from these characters, and Monroe just came across as a quirky and loveable character!

I love her because she is perfectly imperfect. She tries too hard to help people and then ends up in some of the funniest predicaments. She sees herself as making a mess instead of helping others. She is outspoken and loves hard. Her love for P&P is like none other.

Fitz is also dreamy. Falling for his aristocratic self beats all of those stories of falling in love with a prince because he seems more realistic and attainable. Can my younger self please go to school in England and find one?

Fate has lined up a parallel universe that is intriguing and just completely works in spite of the changes that Monroe's own pride and prejudice want to inflict as Fitz struggles with his own in the real world. It's a clever nod to the original work that made me fall in love again with not only the characters in this duo, but also the original and all of its cinematic versions. It's rare that I find clever retellings of the classics, but this one is fantastic. I'm so glad Jennifer Peel and Becky Monson teamed up to do this!

Review of Desperately Seeking Mr. Darcy by Becky Monson

 

She just wanted a Mr. Darcy… not her best friend’s brother in breeches.

"Didn't see that coming" could be my life's motto. I mean, I certainly didn't foresee my roommate stealing my boyfriend—an unfortunate turn of events that led to me moving in with my best friend and her infuriatingly attractive brother. Oh, and speaking of the brother? I might have once confessed my love for him, only to be met with soul-crushing, dignity-shattering unrequited feelings. Fun times, indeed.

But in this series of unexpected disasters, one surprise actually worked in my favor: winning a trip to Pride and Prejudice Park, where I get to play my literary hero, Elizabeth Bennet. Sounds like a dream, right?

Well, even that plan goes off the rails. The trip takes such a wild turn that Zane—my best friend’s brother—ends up tagging along and playing Mr. Darcy. And here’s the biggest shock of all: suddenly, all this pretending starts to feel incredibly real. Could Zane actually be the Mr. Darcy I’ve been searching for my entire life? Or will my Pride and Prejudice dreams remain just that—a dream?

USA Today Bestselling Author Becky Monson delivers a witty and romantic escape, where unrequited love, Regency roleplay, and one very unexpected Mr. Darcy collide.

Available on Amazon (KU!)

(affiliate links included)

Also check out the companion book, Without Pride and Prejudice by Jennifer Peel!

**My thoughts**

A lot of people like to reimagine the classics, and it can be tiring. But I knew that I could trust Becky Monson to take Pride and Prejudice and reimagine it in the most unique way. This book, and its companion by Jennifer Peel [Without Pride and Prejudice], are quickly becoming this month's favorite reads. 

Becky has taken the story of Pride and Prejudice and placed it inside the story of Pride and Prejudice. Macy has had a lot of ups and downs in her life and would really like for something to just go her way for once, all by herself. So when she wins her dream trip to role play Pride and Prejudice actually in England, she jumps at the chance. And can you blame her?

[Quick side note: Who knew there were Regency role playing vacations? I may have to look into this...]

Naturally, she wants to be Elizabeth. I mean, don't we all? And her best friend's brother Zane randomly tags along to play Mr. Darcy. So now she is fulfilling a childhood dream, because she's been in love with Zane for almost as long as she can remember. She even made a total fool out of herself with him many, many years ago. 

The characters who end up playing the various characters play their roles very well. Macy works hard to first discover her inner Elizabeth and then to channel her. And Zane as Mr. Darcy? Um, yes, please. 

[I also feel like I need a little bit of Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet in my life. You won't think me so weird once you read about them!]

I love watching Macy come into her own, finally, as she works to make all of her dreams come true. I love watching Pride and Prejudice come alive in yet another way. I'm craving the Colin Firth miniseries right now. And I can't wait to read the companion novel for Monroe and Fitz's story!

Becky Monson, every time I think I have found my favorite book by you, you hit another one out of the park. Thank you for this one!

Review of Christmas Promises (Sugarville Grove #4) by Tess Thompson

 

Laney Gray thought she had her life all figured out—until her fairytale wedding turned into a public betrayal. Jilted at the altar and humiliated by the very people she trusted most, Laney flees the city for Sugarville Grove, the picturesque small town where she once spent her happiest summers. Seeking solace in her aunt’s charming bookstore, Laney hopes to piece her life back together in time for Christmas.

What she doesn’t expect is to run into Nolan Hayes—the quiet, bookish boy who stole her heart one magical summer. Now an English professor with a steady presence and a smile that still makes her knees weak, Nolan is no longer the shy teenager Laney remembers. But as their paths cross amidst twinkling lights and snow-covered streets, the connection between them feels as familiar—and as powerful—as ever.

Laney may be a city girl out of her element in Sugarville Grove, but as she works to rebuild the bookstore’s holiday traditions, she finds herself drawn not only to the town’s simple charms but also to Nolan’s quiet strength. Yet, both carry scars from the past—hers from a shattered engagement, and his from a heartbreak he’s never shared.

Can the magic of Christmas help Laney and Nolan find the courage to take a second chance on love? Or will old wounds keep them from the happy ending they’ve been waiting for all along?

Heartwarming and full of small-town charm, Christmas Promises is a cozy holiday romance about healing, hope, and the unexpected gift of a second chance.

Available on Amazon (KU!)

(affiliate links included)

Check out the entire Sugarville Grove series by Clara Pines and Tess Thompson!

**My thoughts**

Christmastime is a great time for second chances and true love. Laney was supposed to be married, but it blew up in her face in the most obnoxious way. I can't blame her for wanting to run away and find something that brings her peace and happiness. This is my fourth trip to Sugarville Grove, and I have to say I could use a break there, myself! Even better is when you run into your long lost love from those younger, happier days. You'd be surprised how often that unrequited love will return in your favor, especially in these small towns!

Laney and Nolan fall right back into each other's lives, like they had never been apart. You know that it's meant to be. It's understandable that others may have some reservations about them rekindling so quickly, especially since Laney just escaped a doomed wedding. Nolan has his own past devastating heartbreak. But when you know, you know, right?

I admit that I was fully cheering them on, while also thinking, slow down a bit and make sure this is really what you want and need! I mean, you know that it is, but I've gotten a bit more apprehensive in my old age. Simultaneously, I'm a bit envious of her having the chance to start over, to find a new path in life that has love and success. I really want my own Sugarville Grove!

And can I just say that I need a spinoff that features Aunt Edna and more details about her long lost love, Max? That story thread definitely had me sighing. 

I love these families and I love this town. It's going to be hard to wait for the next installments, but I'm sure looking forward to them!

Review of Sweet Surrender (Sugarville Grove #3) by Clara Pines

 

Becca can handle his rambunctious twins in the classroom. But teaching their dad to open his heart would take a Christmas miracle…

Zane Lawrence doesn’t need anything but the family dairy farm and his seven-year-old twin boys for his life to be complete. The single dad works hard all day and chases the boys around the farm all night. His life is a little chaotic – but there’s a delicate balance to it.

So when a pretty young teacher at the boys’ school tries to interfere with some big ideas about their education, Zane isn’t about to let her throw their world off-kilter. After all, she’s new to the school and Sugarville Grove. And it’s bad enough that she’s meddling in his business, but the fact that he’s desperately attracted to her makes him furious with himself.

New teacher Becca Hawthorne sees the Lawrence twins struggling despite their potential and reaches out to their dad right away, excited about her first opportunity to make a real difference. It's crystal clear how much Zane Lawrence loves his boys, so Becca doesn’t expect him to be so offended at her attempts to help. Anyone can see that the man has deep wounds, but his reaction to her feels almost personal. She’s not about to let it stop her from fighting for his kids, though.

When he finally relents, Becca is sure that her dealings with the single dad are over. But for some reason, she suddenly finds herself bumping into Zane Lawrence at every turn. Whether it’s the store, the post office, or the flurry of holiday events in town, she can’t seem to stop seeing the handsome cowboy everywhere she goes.

Did Santa send these lonesome souls a pair of holiday matchmakers for Christmas? And how long can they keep denying what seems so obvious to everyone else before they finally surrender?

Welcome to Sugarville Grove, where clean & wholesome small-town romance awaits you on every corner. Life is sweet in Sugarville Grove! Be sure to read the whole series!

Available on Amazon (KU!)

(affiliate links included)

Check out the whole series by Clara Pines and Tess Thompson!

**My thoughts**

I don't care what time of year it is. I'm always a sucker for a good Christmas small town romance. And I have truly fallen in love with Sugarville Grove as I've been reading through this series.

This one particularly caught my heart because Becca is a teacher. She has a unique insight into Zane's twin boys and what makes them tick. But of course, she is practically fighting an uphill battle with some people who think she is stepping out of place. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can catch something that everyone else hasn't yet seen! So her struggles in trying to help these twin boys are very familiar to me, having been in education for the past 30 years.

Only I've never had a hottie single dad like Zane be a part of the picture like this.

Life would have been more interesting had I found a Zane in my younger years!

And I completely understand why Zane is so cranky about people trying to help him out. Outside of his family, he has had to do so much on his own when it comes to his boys. I get that desire to just want to do it yourself so that you know it gets done the way you want. It's going to take someone special to be able to break through all of that. Of course, Becca is going to be that person.

This is another cold weather story that melted my heart and even may have sprung a tear or two. I'm still not a fan of super rushed romances, instead prefering an epilogue to flesh out what happens next. But I forgive it in this series because I like it so much. 

There are more Lawrences in the brood, so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens to each of them as this series continues. I hope it continues for a while!

I received a requested ARC of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of When Stars Dream at Midnight (The Midnight Stars Saga #3) by Tess Thompson

 

Unveiled truths. Unrequited love. A world torn apart.

Mireille

When war threatened Europe, my parents sent me from our vineyard in France to safety in America, where I found a new life, with friends who become family. But even in a land untouched by the bombs, the shadows of war loomed over my heart. As secrets from my past emerge and the world around me is torn apart, I must confront the grief of loss, the weight of duty, and the delicate balance between love and loyalty.

Peter

I’ve always stood in the background—quiet, loyal, and resigned to love a woman I could never have. While her heart belonged to my best friend, mine was hers, a silent devotion that I buried beneath duty and the horrors of war. When tragedy sends me home, scarred and broken, I don’t expect to find healing in the life I left behind. But as grief turns into something deeper, I must decide if I have the courage to face a future shaped by love, hope, and loss.

The third installment in the Midnight Stars Saga follows Mireille Perrin, the baby Estelle entrusted to her twin sister Mauve in When Stars Fall at Midnight. Now grown and navigating the heartache of war, Mireille’s journey will unearth family truths, test her resilience, and challenge her heart in ways she never expected.

In this American Historical romance, Tess Thompson delivers a heartwarming, sweeping family saga filled with long- buried family secrets, unspoken desires, and characters torn between love and duty. A clean wartime that explores the power of second chances and healing nature of love is perfect for fans of 1940s historical fiction and WWII love stories. This sweet, inspirational tale will tug at heartstrings while reminding readers of the enduring resilience of the human spirit.

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate link included)

Check out the entire Midnight Stars saga! Free in KU!

**My thoughts**

Every time I feel like I have read Tess Thompson's best historical book, she brings me another one like this. I have a new favorite. And as I am always saying with her books, I'm surprised because I am typically NOT a fan of historical romances. 

Granted, this one takes place during WWII, which is one of my favorite time periods in history to study. I cannot imagine living during that time, watching families get ripped apart and humanity disappearing into evil. I am intrigued by the strength of those who resisted and persisted. This saga builds upon the first two installments, which were the story of Mireille's birth mother, yet somehow grips me even tighter. It also begs to be turned into a miniseries on a streaming platform.

Mireille was raised by her bio mom's twin sister in the south of France. [You'll want to read the first two books to better understand Stella's story, but it isn't necessary to appreciate this book.] And now she is returning to America, to stay safe as Hitler starts to take over France. Her father is Jewish, thus making her family a particular target.

This poor girl is completely uprooted from the vineyard that she has known and loved her whole life and transplanted onto a foreign land. She is fortunate to land a benevolent roommate at school who adopts her into the family, thus setting Mireille on her crash course of love and resistance during one of the most trying times in our history.

She will love and lose and love some more. Her path doesn't go on a straight line, instead meandering a bit to find its way to the ending you are waiting for. I felt like I was standing by her side as she went through every experience. I faced her fears, embraced her challenges, and loved all of her loves. I rejoiced in her happiness and cried alongside her in her grief.

Dare I hope for more in this world?

Well done, yet again, Ms. Thompson!

Read reviews of the entire series:

1 - When Stars Fall at Midnight

2 - When Stars Rise at Midnight

3 - When Stars Dream at Midnight

4 - When Stars Dance at Midnight

Review of Darling Daisy (Memento Mysteries Book One) by Stacey Rourke

 

It’s easy to play the victim, until they find the body.

Daisy Rawlings was a YouTube star on the rise. Her quirky cooking show proved to be an internet sensation that gained her a loyal fan following. Married to her college sweetheart, her life seemed picture perfect.

Until she drove her car off a bridge.

Now, Detective Simon Payne is on the case to piece together what happened that tragic night. As dark secrets come to light, haunting sightings of Daisy make it clear her soul has yet to rest in peace.

A privileged family.
A deadly betrayal.
A torrid affair.

Will power and influence be enough to prevent sins of the past from coming to light? Or will Darling Daisy be the latest casualty of the influential elite?

Buy on Amazon

(affiliate link included)

***My thoughts**

Oh, how I love Stacey Rourke's books. Darling Daisy is part of that paranormal realm that she does so well, though it isn't going to necessarily make you laugh out loud and embarrass yourself in public. (I refer you back to my reviews of her first series ever...) But this is the first book of hers that truly grabbed ahold of me and would not let me go until I was all the way through it. Granted, I had a snow day from work. But I guarantee that had I started it before going into work on a regular day, I would have been sneaking my Kindle app any chance that I had to keep working my way through it.

Darling Daisy is dead. She went over a cliff. They called it a suicide. But something doesn't add up. Even she can't remember what actually happened to her. She's stuck in a sort of purgatory, trying to sort it all out and move on. Along the way, she discovers some deep secrets as she uncovers the pieces to the puzzle of her true story. You as the reader are riding along with her, also trying to sort it all out. You may be able to figure it out. Then again, maybe not. But I guarantee you'll be right there with Daisy for every twist and turn on her ride.

I'm glad Stacey Rourke decided to give this genre a shot. I'm sure it had to be a cathartic experience to write up some vigilante justice. I hope she continues to put out some stories in this series, because she knocked this one out of the park.

Review of Promise of Tomorrow (Castaway Christmas #2) by Tess Thompson

 

He’s the humble son of a chauffeur. She’s a prisoner in her father’s mansion. Can he break her free from her ivory tower or will darkness prevail?

Millicent Cashmere appears to have the life of luxury. But inside the walls of the Cashmere Manor darkness and family secrets permeate every aspect of young Millicent’s life. A prisoner in her own home, she’s forbidden to have friends or go to school. She has only books to keep her company.

For years Teddy Hill admired pretty Millicent from afar with no idea of the difficulties she endured from her abusive father and his evil housekeeper. When a tragic turn of events changes everything, Teddy must find a way to protect naïve Millicent from a world that wants to cast her aside.

Can these unlikely lovers forge a life together in the worst of circumstances? Historical romance fans will love this turn of the century story about forbidden love, family secrets and second chances.

In this second installment of the Castaway Christmas Series, readers will revisit old friends Wesley, Luci and Sadie as Teddy and Millicent find themselves in Castaway. A heartwarming tale of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and community!

Available on Amazon

(affiliate links included)

Check out the whole Castaway Christmas series!

**My thoughts**

In this installment of this beloved series, we have another pair who come from opposite sides of the tracks, if you will, yet are completely drawn to each other. I had slight VC Andrews flashbacks with Millicent being forced to basically stay hidden in her room all the time and being abused by her father and his horrible housekeeper. Then we have the dear sweet Teddy, whose father is the gardener. The two meet by chance when they are young and instantly connect. Fast forward several years later and the unspeakable happens to Millicent. Teddy is determined to take care of this poor naive girl and so they make their way east to the town of Castaway and we reconnect with Luci and Wesley and their families.

One would assume that Millicent would be the worldly one, having grown up in a home of riches and that Teddy would have been more sheltered due to his societal status. In fact, it is the opposite. Millicent only knows of the world through books and is so naive otherwise. Teddy is the one who is able to introduce her to the simple things in life and has all the wisdom. He is so protective of her. I lean into his character as that sort of big brother that I always wanted. Millicent is the sweet girl I want to take under my wing. I'm so happy that they have found each other. They both really come a long way, with Millicent finding an inner strength that she never knew existed.

Plenty of other characters in this book will also tug at your heartstrings. And there are a couple of other bad eggs. A couple of twists and family secrets add to the intrigue.

There are so many other characters in this series whose stories I would love to catch up on. I hope one day Tess is inspired to come back it and tell them.

Read my review of Book 1: Come Tomorrow.