Indie Author

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Review: “Meet Me in Virginia” by Elizabeth Camden

Today’s review features a new series-starting novel by Elizabeth Camden: Meet Me in Virginia. Her second foray into a contemporary novel world, this book enchants and captivates as it weaves a contemporary romance that will appeal to fans of Courtney Walsh and Becky Wade.

About the Book

She believes in elegance and tradition. He’s all about grit and smashing through obstacles. Together, they’re a disaster waiting to happen—or the perfect match.

Alice Chadwick, a history professor devoted to the genteel values of Jane Austen’s world, has spent her career championing kindness and mannerly comportment in a cutthroat academic environment. But her dream of elevating Austen’s ideals is on the brink of collapse—her colleagues want her fired, and a scandal threatens to ruin her completely.

Enter Jack Latimer, a world-renowned golf course architect with zero patience for old-world charm. He’s brash, bold, and determined to build his masterpiece on a valuable stretch of Virginia property—even if it means demolishing the historic building Alice hopes could save her career.

When their clashing goals spark fiery confrontations, neither is prepared for the unexpected discovery hidden on the property—a find that could save them both if they can stop bickering long enough to work together. As their partnership deepens, so does the inconvenient attraction simmering between them. Will their undeniable chemistry lead to a happily-ever-after—or will their differences derail them both?

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Meet Me in Virginia by Elizabeth Camden is an enchanting contemporary romance story with a remarkable Williamsburg setting. Its pairing of Alice and Jack, true opposites in background and personality, is captivating from the start. A subtle historical thread influences the story, a regional mystery of sorts that Alice seeks to solve. Its presence is an apt feature for the author, who is already established as a historical fiction storyteller. I always appreciate her stories for her portrayal of and respect for history — evident in *this* tale in the echoes and influence history has on the present.

One of the things I appreciate the most about this story is Camden’s unique characterization approach. Alice and Jack have nontypical, fascinating careers: academics with a penchant for history, and golf course architecture & design. They are well established on the page with depth and vibrancy, making me (as a reader) feel like I know their personal preferences and demeanors by the end of the story. His no-nonsense approach to life and her penchant for nostalgia and cooking are two such characteristics.

I love how this romantic pairing explores how Jack and Alice challenge each other to see the world differently — to be better versions of themselves. Their moments in the story together are marked by sharp banter and romantic chemistry, unfolding in a way that proves their intellectual match. Jack is undeniably hero material and totally my type. I appreciate and respect how Camden can write beta and alpha heroes with such complexity and realness to them, making me fictionally fall for both in different stories (I’m referencing Count Dimitri Sokolov, king of the beta heroes).

Meet Me in Virginia is very much a romance, but it also has deep themes of reconciliation, legacy, and hope. The historical element and family influences play into these themes to make this story to get caught up in. This is Camden’s second foray into a contemporary novel world, and the promising start of a series I am anticipating! Book 2 is set to feature Alice’s intriguing brother, whom we meet briefly in this one. I think this contemporary romance will appeal to fans of Courtney Walsh and Becky Wade.

For part of my reading, I listened to the audiobook production via my local library’s app. It is highly recommended! The narrator does a fantastic job embodying the characters and a few southern accents.

My thanks to the publisher for the ebook review copy. I purchased a finalized copy for my collection. This is my honest review.

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Review: “About Last Christmas” by Rachel Scott McDaniel

October starts my favorite quarter of the year — all the fall and Christmas things! So, I was perfectly in the mood to read this new book by Rachel Scott McDaniel: About Last Christmas. A contemporary story is a new subgenre for Rachel, whose historical tales I have enjoyed.

About the Book

She’s trying to avoid a holiday disaster. He’s trying to earn his way off her naughty list. Both need a Christmas Miracle.

Greta Carlton is beautifully content running her antique shop in the snow-globe town of Silver Creek, sipping vanilla gingerbread lattes, and staying clear of drama. But a whirlwind encounter with a handsome stranger leads to a whimsical evening, stirring her heart to believe in movie-style romance. That is, until Leo disappears into thin (and snowy) air. Ten months later, he walks into her shop like the Ghost of Christmas Last, needing a favor.

She’s still mad.
He’s still charming.

Greta doesn’t have time for men with dimpled grins and the proclivity for vanishing. She’s got her own holiday project with an approaching deadline. Though the more she learns about Leo, the more she realizes he’s the only thing standing between her and a Christmas catastrophe. They agree to help each other reach their holiday goals. As they untangle feelings as stubborn as knotted Christmas lights, Greta wonders if second chances are like antiques—unexpected, imperfect, and everything you didn’t know you were looking for.

About Last Christmas is a sweet holiday romance wrapped in witty banter, heartfelt twists, and the dreamy thrill of finding love in the glow of twinkling lights.

Review

About Last Christmas has a damsel in distress, snow, sledding, tree-trimming, and twinkle light kisses. A balance of humor and community and sweatpants. It also has a charming (or comically deranged, depending on your sense of humor — which I mean in the most complimentary way) setting for the “only one bed” trope. Elements of healing and understanding are a significant part of Greta’s journey I appreciated, themes that overflow into all of her relationships.

In the story, the tiniest details come full circle! My favorite aspects are similar to things I happen to love about McDaniel’s historical novels, too: WIT and a strong sense of identity for the characters. The story is told entirely from Greta’s first-person POV, a viewpoint that allows Leo to play the hero with a smart, enigmatic, and selfless charm. The romance is set up with a hilarious meet-cute and extends to a second chance situation that allows for some mystery, sweet tension, and fantastic grand gestures.

My thanks to the publisher for the ebook review copy. This is my honest review.

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Cover Reveal: The Lost Visionist by Ronie Kendig

I’m a fan of Ronie Kendig as a person and an author! She’s a sweet human and has a brilliant mind for story in multiple genres. One example of that is her Droseran Saga which I LOVED, a genre outside of my usual norm: sci-fi fantasy.

The exciting thing TODAY is that Ronie is revealing the cover for her upcoming new space fantasy novel: The Lost Visionist, the promising start of a new series she’s calling the Helios Requiem trilogy. It’s being described as Rogue One meets Inception in a brand-new no-spice space adventure with immortals, soulmates, feral banter, and shifting realities. Doesn’t it sound fascinating?!

Read on for the book blurb and how you can get involved with Ronie’s Kickstarter.

About The Lost Visionist

A mind is a terrible thing to wake, especially the one he hunts.

Theseus Helstaar kills rogue visionists—those who violate the sacred territory of the mind by reading and manipulating memories. When he abandons a mission to save his fragile sister, he lands in the mercy of the Imperial Syndicate, which forces him to find the Lost Visionist—the most powerful delver to have ever existed—or everything he loves will be destroyed.

The hunt starts in an abbey tower where Theseus meets the Five Singularities, fractured delvers who alone harbor the identity of the Lost Visionist. They’re as maddening as they are terrifying. Vital clues from them point to the malevolent Ikons two hundred years in the past.

In the First Age, Princess Aurelia Volossik becomes the unlikely champion and true love of Brakadir, a godlike warrior fighting the evil immortals razing her planet. Unbelievably, her imbued power turns the tide of the war. But that very success makes her a target—of those who want her power and those who want her dead.

As timelines and truths collide, Theseus must determine what is real—and what isn’t.

This epic space fantasy by Ronie Kendig is coming soon to Kickstarter in a Deluxe Limited Edition, and you can follow the campaign now to be notified on launch: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/roniekendig/the-lost-visionist

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Mini Review: A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz

I’m reviewing a book I SAVORED in the last week: A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz. It’s a sequel and shorter companion story of sorts to her 2024 novel, The Seamstress of Acadie.

About the Book

Exiled from his beloved Acadie in Canada, Bleu Galant has little on his mind but survival as the tumultuous French and Indian War comes to a close. When his journey to Virginia’s Rivanna River settlement takes an unexpected turn, he crosses paths with Brielle Farrow–a woman whose presence stirs something in him he cannot explain nor express. Unable to forget her, his decision to help her takes them across an ocean into a lavish world he’s never known. Will their intricate tie decide not only her fate but his future?

Goodreads

Review

A Fierce Devotion is a complex and lovely historical romance follow-up to The Seamstress of Acadie. I was enamored at meeting the character of Bleu in Acadie, and was THRILLED to hear he gets his own happily ever after in this book! Bleu and Brielle are a complementary match, bringing rich heritage and fierce fortitude together in their romance. Their relationship has unexpected beginnings and twists, which also means their romance grows with a slow-burn connection. It was a delight to catch up with beloved characters Sylvie and Will, and see the Rivanna in its flourishing glory between the pages. Frantz employs her signature, poetic wordsmithing to bring a unique light and poignancy to the story itself. This is one short novel I will treasure rereading.

My thoughts on the companion novel, The Seamstress of Acadie

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Book Review: “A Worthy Risk” by T. Elizabeth Renich

Thanks for checking out my review today of a new indie-published novel by T. Elizabeth Renich, A Worthy Risk, the start of the new “Sovereign Liberty Series”.

About the Book

One for the land and one for the war—
One for the church, and pray for no more… –Anonymous

Serenity Ravensworth is the lone sister among four brothers who seem to match descriptive lines of an ancient, anonymous poem. The youngest has no inheritance according to English law. The next brother in line studies to be ordained at Oxford. The soldier has been in British North America fighting the French and their native allies. And the eldest usurps control of Fernsby Hall. Reckless gambling endangers all the Ravensworth brothers and puts Serenity squarely in harm’s way.

Without the aid of Serenity’s soldier-brother, former grenadier Marcus St. James would not have made it back to England. Wounded and left for dead in the wake of the massacre at Fort Michilimackinac, Lieutenant St. James is found alive eight weeks after and five hundred miles distant from his last known whereabouts. His disturbing lack of memories gnaws at his sound mind and his sense of loss is compounded by unanswered questions.

An introduction to Miss Ravensworth inspires St. James to collect shattered pieces of the life left to him. Predicated by stronger feelings than he is able to articulate, his timely rescue of her deepens the growing attachment between them. Compelled to follow the pull of unexpected opportunities in a new land, Miss Ravensworth braves the Atlantic crossing, while St. James—at Benjamin Franklin’s behest—returns to the Pennsylvania colony as a member of Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon’s survey team.

Far from the familiarity of England, will these two find purpose together or challenge apart as Parliament dictates stricter regulations and imposes taxation on British citizens dwelling in the North American colonies? The Seven Years’ War is over, but King George III’s Royal Proclamation is the first domino to fall on the way to igniting a revolution.

Add it to your shelf on Goodreads | Purchase on Amazon

Review

A Worthy Risk by T. Elizabeth Renich offers a unique perspective on history set between in the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War as a revolution between England and the American colonies looms. The prose-like style is immersive in the customs and daily life of a broad cast of characters with Serenity and Marcus at its center, spanning life in England and the daunting trials of the American colonies.

The romance between them builds slowly while family machinations, the impacts of Marcus’ service in the war, and themes of loss and grief influence the story. The growth of Serenity and Marcus, both separate and together, is a major feature of the story, especially as family secrets are revealed amidst scandal and challenge of Serenity’s family. I particularly liked the occasional point of view of Serenity’s grandmother, Grandee. The end of A Worthy Risk leaves some questions and character fates to be anticipated and answered in future books in the series.

My thanks to the author for the review ecopy. This is my honest review.

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Book Review: “The Fur Trader’s Lady” by Gabrielle Meyer

I’m gushing a little bit today about one of my most anticipated books of 2025: The Fur Trader’s Lady by Gabrielle Meyer. As expected, it was entertaining from cover to cover — and one my mother also enjoyed!

About the Book

To escape her guardian’s plans to marry her, Lady Charlotte Fairfax steals away to Montreal to locate Reid McCoy, a fur trader who owes her fiancé a debt for saving his life. Even though European women are forbidden from entering the interior, she is desperate to get to her fiancé deep within the northwestern wilderness.

Reid McCoy has worked hard for fifteen years to become a shareholder in the North West Company and is on the brink of realizing that goal. Taking Charlotte into the interior will not only put her life at risk, but it could also jeopardize his dreams. Honor bound to repay his debt, his only option is to have Charlotte dress as a man and enter as his assistant clerk.

With Charlotte’s guardian close on their trail and a personal rival willing to do anything to keep Reid from becoming a shareholder, they will embark on an epic journey that will test not only their strength and endurance, but their hearts, as well.

Christy Award winner and bestselling author Gabrielle Meyer presents a new and thrilling historical adventure series set in the heart of the North American wilderness.

Add it to your shelf on Goodreads | Purchase on Amazon

Review

The Fur Trader’s Lady is INSTANTLY going on my favorites shelf! It is a lush, adventurous story of longing and romance where the setting is as much a character as the leading couple. Charlotte and Reid are a soul-deep match to root for. I am enamored with the real-life history of the fur trade and its local customs and global reach portrayed in this story. I just might be dreaming of a vacation to Minnesota to see it for myself.

I enjoyed a great many things about this tale: the transparent communication between Reid and Charlotte, the pining and delicious romantic tension, the adventure and bravery of Charlotte, the heroic integrity of Reid, the immersive style Meyer employs to depict the wilderness and the various cultures, and the never-predictable twists and turns of the story.

Someone needs to start a Reid McCoy fan club. I will be rereading this one with JOY. Bravo to Meyer for indie-publishing this book — and with more to come!

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Audiobook Review: Uneasy Street by Becky Wade

Welcome to my review today for the latest indie book by author Becky Wade, Uneasy Street. It wraps up the Sons of Scandal contemporary romance series set in Maine.

Book 1: Memory Lane Book 2: Rocky Road

About the Book

Once upon a time Max Cirillo and Sloane Madison were close friends and business partners. But when their business relationship imploded, so did the friendship.

Now, four years later, Max is a rich CEO. Sloane’s a not-so-rich etiquette expert who returns to Maine to serve as her niece’s temporary guardian and help the girl search for her birth father. Sloane and her niece move into a darling garage apartment but Sloane’s joy in their accommodations soon turns to horror when she realizes their apartment belongs to Max. Thanks to an unbreakable lease, she’s stuck living right next door to him.

Max pulled strings to bring Sloane into his orbit because he needs closure on what went wrong between them. Quickly, though, his scheming comes back to bite him. The world might view him as a cold-hearted rake, but this one woman has dangerous power over his emotions.

They’ll have no choice but to confront their history—and the undeniable spark between them—while living side by side on uneasy street.

Discover witty humor, rich emotion, banter, and charm within the pages of this sweet enemies-to-lovers romance!

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Uneasy Street wraps up Becky Wade’s “Sons of Scandal” series with a romance for the last — and most rascally — brother, Max. This one employs enemies to lovers with a little twist because Sloane and Max begin as estranged friends-now-enemies, hurt over a past betrayal of emotions. I listened to the audiobook production of this story and greatly enjoyed the dual narrators and emotion they lent to the tale.

Max and Sloane’s banter makes it highly entertaining any time they’re in a scene together. In these moments, the reader knows the sparks are a notch or two away from developing into romantic tension, which makes the story enthralling. In true slow burn fashion, their romance organically progresses with Max falling first with some forced proximity through a summer and fall in the transportive coastal Maine setting. True to Wade’s style, their relationship is relatable and rightfully complicated. My favorite parts of this pairing combo are Sloane’s kindness and Max’s determination in all — especially his pursuit of Sloane.

I appreciate Wade’s use of characters and subplots in this story that never distract from the main romance but instead enrich the story world and give it a sense of realistic rightness. These threads tie together Max and Sloane’s part in their families’ lives with Ivy’s search for biological family members, Max’s entanglement (thanks to Felix) and search for a historic piece of jewelry, and Fiona’s arc of grace and reconnection with a sister and deepening of friendship with potential for romance with longtime friend Burke.

Several small details round out the fullness of the story, with little personal moments like etiquette lessons (Sloane’s profession is fascinating), brothers catching up, pet rats, Ivy’s bubbly presence, and sandwiches. Oh, and a little bit of Boston history that sneaks in and is hilarious! It’s bittersweet and satisfying to finish a series as enjoyable as this trilogy.

Thank you to the publisher for the review ecopy. This is my honest review.

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Review: “Summerlin Groves” by Elizabeth Camden

Today is all about a contemporary story by Elizabeth Camden, Summerlin Groves, that’s a perfect blend of second chance romance and mystery. This is the author’s first foray into the contemporary genre (historical romance is her usual), and it is treated with the same attention to detail as her brilliant historicals.

About the Book

Jenny Summerlin is struggling to save her dying orange grove when a baffling mystery upends her world. A skeleton buried with a priceless treasure has been found on her land, which brings a flood of investigators onto her property to study a decades old crime.

Captain Wyatt Rossiter is charged with solving the puzzling discovery. Unfortunately, he is also the man who broke Jenny’s heart two years earlier. Plagued with regrets and unresolved feelings for Jenny, Wyatt resists getting drawn back into her world, but he cannot rest until he solves the unusual crime.

The former lovers are trapped on a case neither of them want. Soon they awaken a fifty-year old mystery involving Cold War espionage and a forbidden romance. Will resurrecting the old secrets endanger the survival of her grove and everything she holds dear?

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Summerlin Groves is an intriguing story of resilience, hope, and the influences of history. It’s a contemporary story that’s part mystery and perseverance, part second chance romance. Impressively, this is Camden’s first foray into the contemporary genre, and this tale proves she is highly capable of penning captivating stories set in any era. Each time I read one of her novels, I know I am going to be enamored with the story while also learning something — in this case, fascinating orange-growing info and Eastern Europe/Cold War history.

I appreciate how mature both Wyatt and Jenny are, even with their flaws. My favorite thing about their second chance dynamic is how each sees the “bigger picture” and has the emotional intelligence to analyze the other’s perspective and motives. This spills over into how realistic themes are explored in the story, from moments of grief and loss to facing insecurities and life plans. Paired with these bigger issues are heart-deep moments of friendship and romance, and one particular moment where Wyatt says something like “just let me hold you” and I think I swooned.

Elizabeth Camden impresses me with her historical stories, and with this contemporary tale she highlights the nostalgia and significance of history through a little Russian history lesson and Cold War secrets. Jenny Summerlin’s journey shows respect for history and its impact and importance still today — a reason I enjoy history and historical fiction, in fact.

If you’re a history buff, too, and the Eastern European historical elements of this novel intrigue you, I highly recommend you check out my favorite book by Elizabeth Camden set during the early 1900s, Written on the Wind, which has a fabulous hero.

My thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest review.

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Series Review: The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir by Nichole Van

2025 update: this post now includes book 5, A Heart Devoted.

I’ve talked about my love for books 1-3 a little in other posts, but I’ve collected my thoughts here for a whole series feature & review! Titles below are linked to Goodreads for more info on each book.

Like the Brotherhood of the Black Tartan Series, Nichole Van’s newly-completed series, The Penn-Leiths of Thistle Muir, is a wonderful and enchanting story world of romance set in the UK with relatable and endearing characters.

Book 1: Love Practically

Love Practically is everything a marriage of convenience should be! In Nichole Van’s unmistakable style, a story of deep emotions and romance unfolds against a lush Scottish backdrop with an immersive countryside setting.

Mr. DANDY, the hilarious cat, is a fantastic character of his own!!! I love how little Madeline chases after him.

Leah is a faceted and deeply caring heroine, and I love seeing her take a chance on a different life. Fox is a cinnamon. roll. of a hero. He’s soft on the inside, if a bit practical and bitter outwardly. His relationship with Leah helps him to recognize the weight and strife he’s fed in his own heart and to overcome. I really enjoy that they’re both in their late 30s (a little older for a Regency era histfic).

At the moment in the story where Fox takes an action akin to a grand gesture, it is a heart-melting moment of tenderness and care he demonstrates for Leah, whose role up until that point has been caretaker extraordinaire of many things. It’s a small moment, but it hit me with all the feels and is a great example of a hero recognizing exactly how to show his love for a heroine in a way that will most impact her heart.

Book 2: Adjacent But Only Just

Adjacent But Only Just might be a different kind of title, but it absolutely fits the poetic and writerly elements of the story! I have a whole list of things I appreciate about this one.

  • Ethan is charming, Malcolm is steady, thoughtful, & my type 🙂
  • Viola! Fierce, determined, lovely. I love how she’s discerning & sees character beyond the surface of everyone, especially the hero
  • It’s delightful to see the return of familiar favs from the Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series!
  • Humor, cows (coos), rather profound thoughts on grief, a lovely swing, and a melting & quite memorable first kiss scene
  • I didn’t like 1 deceptive element of the storyline (true feelings withheld from a key character) but I can see mechanically how earlier honesty would’ve impeded the complexity of the conflict.

Book 3: One Kiss Alone

This book immediately went on my all time favorites list, for a plethora of reasons! I ADORE this romance between Ethan and Allie, a Scots poet hero and an adventurous lady heroine. Nichole Van does the genre credit with her brilliant depiction of the Victorian era and expectations, the natural wit and humor of her characters, the plot surprises, and in depicting a family of charming characters that are increasingly dear with each story. Ethan is an unabashedly romantic hero (someone say SWOON) and Allie (Lady Allegra) is fierce, spunky, and knows her own mind. Their path to love is full of surprises, adventure, a little forced proximity, meddling and controlling family members, and one quite memorable fishing experience. And whew can Nichole Van write a kiss scene (and, subsequently, an endearing conversation *about* meaningful kisses). We readers are treated to a few in this story, but I do have a favorite.

Book 4: A Heart Sufficient

After reading book 3, I anticipated the setup for this one, and I just *knew* I would love seeing Tristan’s world get rocked by love. Before I began I was halfway in love with his prickly stubbornness already.

I expected an epic redemption story with this series conclusion — and I was absolutely not disappointed! This story telling Tristan’s, AKA the formidable Duke of Kendall’s, own history and path to finding love (not just romance! LOVE in its many facets and forms with family, friends, and romantic love), rivalry with Lord Hadley, and I-will-only-ever-love-Isolde HEA is a thrill from start to finish. Yes, there were times I wanted to strangle Tristan. Yes, there were times I wanted to cheer Isolde on as she brashly puts up with his actions only to find chinks in his chilly armor and the WARMEST heart underneath. Isolde is his match and complement in every way — in her bright intelligence, quick wit, passion for life, and effervescent nature, sometimes in contrast with his own personality but in a challenging, for-the-better way.

Tristan and Isolde’s romance has ample moments where their chemistry sizzles into physical passion and intellectual soulmate-level harmony — all while maintaining a closed door romance narrative. Their dynamic includes SO MANY tropes: love at first sight, enemies-to-frenemies-to-lovers, a marriage of convenience (!!!), and a little bit of forced proximity. In other words, ALL the emotions and swoons for the reader. It’s all tied up in a smart Victorian world of social class, innovation, family expectations, and culture (hello, Scottish geography).

This story unites characters from past books AND catches up with key characters from the Brotherhood of the Black Tartan series. Isolde is the daughter of book 1’s hero and Tristan is the brother of book 2’s hero. Story worlds unite!

Book 5: A Heart Devoted

This shorter addition to the series is a treat for superfans, continuing the romance and resolution of the couple from A Heart Sufficient.

It was delightful to revisit the world of Tristan and Isolde as they continue building their romance. Nichole Van smartly picks up where A Heart Sufficient ends with Tristan and Isolde navigating their newfound marriage, his role as Duke, their interactions with her family, and the challenges of societal expectations and acceptance. It makes for some swoony romantic moments in continuation, a fitting familial challenge for Tristan to take charge of, and a sweetened ending for knowing their HEA is wholly complete.

If you’ve read this far, thanks for sticking with my gushing over these characters. I believe this series is best enjoyed in order, though these do tell separate love stories all their own. I’ve swooned over all these books, but I maintain that Malcolm is my type 😉

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Book Review: “Rocky Road” by Becky Wade

Welcome to my review of Rocky Road by Becky Wade, the second in her “Sons of Scandal” series following the Camden family in New England.

Review of book 1, Memory Lane

About the Book

FBI Agent Jude Camden handles every aspect of his job with by-the-book professionalism. There’s no reason why his latest assignment—which calls for him to pose as the boyfriend of perfumer Gemma Clare—should be any different.

Illustrated cover of Rocky Road featuring a light pink background, clipart images of a red car, a lighthouse, and a couple

Except Gemma is different. She’s creative, bold, and feisty. And as soon as she meets Jude, she wants to loosen him up, wrinkle his perfect shirts, and test every ounce of his towering self-control.

The FBI has an iron-clad rule against romances between those working together on operations. Jude’s never met a rule he didn’t respect. But adhering to this one is going to be tough because, as time goes by, he finds Gemma more and more irresistible.

Buckle up! It’s going to be a rocky road.

Escape to Maine for this swoon-worthy “fake romance”! Banter, humor, perfume, and a mystery from the past intertwine in this sweet Sons of Scandal love story.

*A Note from Becky: For a list of sensitive topics in Becky’s novels, visit BeckyWade.com and click the link you’ll find at the top of the “My Books” page.

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

Rocky Road by Becky Wade takes readers on another romantic journey with hints of intrigue alongside the second Camden son, Jude. The story uses tropes in a fantastic way, with fake dating, forced proximity, and a tiny bit of opposites attract with Gemma’s sunshine-y and effervescent personality in contrast with Jude’s serious, always-tidy demeanor. AND, it has a hilarious meet cute for the record books!

Author Becky Wade tackles tricky family dynamics and believably complex, world-we-live-in situations. I admire that Wade is not afraid to handle some heavier topics on occasion, like fidelity, trust, and risk in this series. Some of this depth absolutely sparkles with the rare POV chapters from Jude’s mother, Fiona, and her ongoing role as mother, sister, and friend.

The romance has fantastic tension, skillfully portrayed by Becky, especially in the (finally) first kiss scene. The romance is enough of a slow burn that the reader is absolutely rooting for a *them* and for Gemma to ruffle Jude’s composure. And she does! She has a tendency to knock Jude’s world off-kilter every time they are together, though Gemma doesn’t always perceive it because Jude’s such a good guy hero and has great internal depths. When it finally manifests with a little outward mussiness for Jude, it is quite an adorable moment. I also LOVE how their relationship progresses and how there is **tiny spoiler** no 3rd act breakup **end spoiler**. Their mutual affinity for poetry (Jude!) and chocolate (Jude and Gemma) sets up some fun scenes and banter, too.

I always enjoy learning more about the world around me through story. In this case, Rocky Road reveals facets of the perfume industry and what a normal-ish day job with the FBI entails. I’m looking forward to the enigmatic, humorous Max Camden and his story in the next novel.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.