Jerry Cooke
3.5⭐️ – A cosy small-town romance with clues, chemistry, and cinnamon buns!
As Hazel approaches her 30th birthday, she can’t shake the feeling that she somehow missed out on the wild, adventurous twenties she always imagined for herself. As manager of the eponymous Cinnamon Bun Book Store in Dream Harbour, her life is comfortable and familiar — until she stumbles across a mysterious clue hidden in a misshelved item, turning her quiet routine upside down.
Following the trail leads her to team up with Noah, a local sailor who runs fishing trips for tourists and has a firm rule about never dating locally. What begins as light-hearted fun quickly turns into something deeper, giving Hazel a taste of the spontaneity and excitement she’s been craving… even if she’s convinced it can never become anything serious.
This was another sweet return to Dream Harbour, complete with a he falls first romance, plenty of interaction with familiar faces from The Pumpkin Spice Café, and that comforting small-town feel where the community continues to grow with each book. While I enjoyed this one, it didn’t grip me quite as much as The Pumpkin Spice Café, but it was it was still a fun, cosy read and a lovely continuation of the series.
3.5⭐️ – A cosy small-town romance with clues, chemistry, and cinnamon buns!
As Hazel approaches her 30th birthday, she can’t shake the feeling that she somehow missed out on the wild, adventurous twenties she always imagined for herself. As manager of the eponymous Cinnamon Bun Book Store in Dream Harbour, her life is comfortable and familiar — until she stumbles across a mysterious clue hidden in a misshelved item, turning her quiet routine upside down.
Following the trail leads her to team up with Noah, a local sailor who runs fishing trips for tourists and has a firm rule about never dating locally. What begins as light-hearted fun quickly turns into something deeper, giving Hazel a taste of the spontaneity and excitement she’s been craving… even if she’s convinced it can never become anything serious.
This was another sweet return to Dream Harbour, complete with a he falls first romance, plenty of interaction with familiar faces from The Pumpkin Spice Café, and that comforting small-town feel where the community continues to grow with each book. While I enjoyed this one, it didn’t grip me quite as much as The Pumpkin Spice Café, but it was it was still a fun, cosy read and a lovely continuation of the series.
4.5⭐️ - A swashbuckling fantasy romp in Exandria, filled with familiar locations, a subtle D&D flair, and plenty of tusk love!
When Guinevere is set upon by mercenaries seeking to take the last treasures of her family, she thinks all is lost until a strapping half-orc fighter enters the fray on her behalf. With half the forrest aflame, the pair enter an uneasy travelling agreement, at a time when there is a distinct lack of beds available!
It was a lot of fun seeing what was just a recurring gag in Critical Role: Campaign Two turned into a legitimate story. Part of me almost expected it to be a farce, so I was thrilled to discover that this is a genuinely exciting and moving romantasy, with good character development and exploration of locations in the world of the campaign.
There's not much actual magic thrown around, with the combat staying mostly in the physical, but perhaps that makes a lot of sense given it's a book that's meant to exist in the D&D setting - after all, fantasy books within our world don't usually play by the same physical rules of ours, hehe.
Originally posted at www.tiktok.com.
4.5⭐️ - A swashbuckling fantasy romp in Exandria, filled with familiar locations, a subtle D&D flair, and plenty of tusk love!
When Guinevere is set upon by mercenaries seeking to take the last treasures of her family, she thinks all is lost until a strapping half-orc fighter enters the fray on her behalf. With half the forrest aflame, the pair enter an uneasy travelling agreement, at a time when there is a distinct lack of beds available!
It was a lot of fun seeing what was just a recurring gag in Critical Role: Campaign Two turned into a legitimate story. Part of me almost expected it to be a farce, so I was thrilled to discover that this is a genuinely exciting and moving romantasy, with good character development and exploration of locations in the world of the campaign.
There's not much actual magic thrown around, with the combat staying mostly in the physical, but perhaps that makes a lot of sense given it's a book that's meant to exist in the D&D setting - after all, fantasy books within our world don't usually play by the same physical rules of ours, hehe.
Originally posted at www.tiktok.com.
4.25⭐️ - A wonderful and affirming story of second and third chances and falling in love in a single day!
Ellie Oliver thought her life was changing for the better when she moved to Portland from Ohio. She was finally getting away from her emotionally abusive mother, starting a job with her dream animation studio, and has a ten-year plan for how to get the life of her dreams. When a freak snowstorm sees her spending a whirlwind day with the tall and intriguing Jack, it seems like something really special might be developing.
That was last Christmas though and that one day lead to a year of questioning and longing. Having since lost her animation job, she's now working as a barista with a worsening financial situation, which makes the offer from the shop's rich landlord to enter into a marriage of convince to meet the stipulations of his inheritance something that she can't say no to. Having to spend Christmas with his family to really sell the fake relationship, the last thing she expects to find is that Andrew's sister Jaqueline is none other than the girl she gave her heart two that time last year. Faced with having to weigh supporting Andrew and her own financial security against taking a chance on something that could have been, Christmas becomes incredibly complicated all of a sudden.
Ugh, this story was full of so much beauty and affirming queerness, matched against longing and frustration. Ellie's horrible treatment by her parents being healed by Andrew and Jack's wonderful family is so sweet to see, and the chemistry between Jack and Ellie is utterly palpable. I loved their story so much for so many reasons, but I can't give this five stars because I felt left wanting by a lack of epilogue. I know it leaves things open, but I always want more 😅
4.25⭐️ - A wonderful and affirming story of second and third chances and falling in love in a single day!
Ellie Oliver thought her life was changing for the better when she moved to Portland from Ohio. She was finally getting away from her emotionally abusive mother, starting a job with her dream animation studio, and has a ten-year plan for how to get the life of her dreams. When a freak snowstorm sees her spending a whirlwind day with the tall and intriguing Jack, it seems like something really special might be developing.
That was last Christmas though and that one day lead to a year of questioning and longing. Having since lost her animation job, she's now working as a barista with a worsening financial situation, which makes the offer from the shop's rich landlord to enter into a marriage of convince to meet the stipulations of his inheritance something that she can't say no to. Having to spend Christmas with his family to really sell the fake relationship, the last thing she expects to find is that Andrew's sister Jaqueline is none other than the girl she gave her heart two that time last year. Faced with having to weigh supporting Andrew and her own financial security against taking a chance on something that could have been, Christmas becomes incredibly complicated all of a sudden.
Ugh, this story was full of so much beauty and affirming queerness, matched against longing and frustration. Ellie's horrible treatment by her parents being healed by Andrew and Jack's wonderful family is so sweet to see, and the chemistry between Jack and Ellie is utterly palpable. I loved their story so much for so many reasons, but I can't give this five stars because I felt left wanting by a lack of epilogue. I know it leaves things open, but I always want more 😅
5⭐️ - A beautiful love story filled with the passion of art and reading, utterly joyful!
After her planned solo debut performance ends in total failure due to her chronic migraine symptoms becoming suddenly debilitating, cellist Courtney Starling decides to take refuge in her best friend Sam's bookshop in Kansas. When the beguiling Thea Quinn announces her appearance in the bookshop with an ear splitting scream, it's an unexpected start to a chemistry laden number of weeks of shared lunches, book recommendations, and stargazing. Her music life hasn't stopped while she's been living incognito though and as the past catches up with her, things between her and Thea become so much more complicated.
This was such a movingly written story in a beautiful small town, with so much sweet found family and searching for self. Despite their ups and downs, the way Courtney and Thea area able to talk through their relationship is absolutely healing to read. It was so satisfying, but I was very much left wanting more from these two. Not because there wasn't a great ending and epilogue, but because I loved everyone so much and didn't want it to stop!
5⭐️ - A beautiful love story filled with the passion of art and reading, utterly joyful!
After her planned solo debut performance ends in total failure due to her chronic migraine symptoms becoming suddenly debilitating, cellist Courtney Starling decides to take refuge in her best friend Sam's bookshop in Kansas. When the beguiling Thea Quinn announces her appearance in the bookshop with an ear splitting scream, it's an unexpected start to a chemistry laden number of weeks of shared lunches, book recommendations, and stargazing. Her music life hasn't stopped while she's been living incognito though and as the past catches up with her, things between her and Thea become so much more complicated.
This was such a movingly written story in a beautiful small town, with so much sweet found family and searching for self. Despite their ups and downs, the way Courtney and Thea area able to talk through their relationship is absolutely healing to read. It was so satisfying, but I was very much left wanting more from these two. Not because there wasn't a great ending and epilogue, but because I loved everyone so much and didn't want it to stop!
4⭐️ - A sweet small town romance with a side of warm spice!
When Jeanie's boss drops dead, it makes the decision to accept her aunt's offer for her to take ownership of the much adored Pumpkin Spice Café a much easier one. It's a lot of responsibility to take on though and it's not made any easier by the mysterious noises keeping her up at night. Flustered and afraid, she eagerly accept the offer from grumpy produce farmer Logan to stake-out together and get to the bottom of things. As the pair find their enjoy time together, they have to come to terms with their respective fear of abandonment and failure.
This was a cute and cosy slice of autumnal romance, with Logan and Jeanie and their respective circle of friends making for a sweet found family vibe. I've put off reading the Dream Harbor books till this colder time of year and I'm glad to finally be getting into them, because they're lots of fun.
4⭐️ - A sweet small town romance with a side of warm spice!
When Jeanie's boss drops dead, it makes the decision to accept her aunt's offer for her to take ownership of the much adored Pumpkin Spice Café a much easier one. It's a lot of responsibility to take on though and it's not made any easier by the mysterious noises keeping her up at night. Flustered and afraid, she eagerly accept the offer from grumpy produce farmer Logan to stake-out together and get to the bottom of things. As the pair find their enjoy time together, they have to come to terms with their respective fear of abandonment and failure.
This was a cute and cosy slice of autumnal romance, with Logan and Jeanie and their respective circle of friends making for a sweet found family vibe. I've put off reading the Dream Harbor books till this colder time of year and I'm glad to finally be getting into them, because they're lots of fun.
4.75⭐️ - A thrilling lovers to enemies to lovers sapphic undersea adventure with Bioshock vibes!
Sargent Nix Marr hasn't seen her former royal paramour, Subarch Kessandra, for over four years. Not since a horrific cave-in below the underwater city of Fall robbed her of a best friend and had Kess abandoning her. Understandably then that she's not best pleased when the Subarch shows up to observe her squad's training session and announces that she's looking for a bodyguard to protect her on a return trip to the depths. Her sense of trouble is confirmed when Kessandra shows up in her father's home the next day, offering to fund his medical treatment in return for Nix's cooperation, leaving her little choice. As the two embark on the three day journey to Fall within The Luminosity - a town sized giant submersible - things go from feeling bad, to being distinctly terrible, and the two must work together to safe as many as they can.
I have loved Rebecca's cosy fantasy writing for a while now, but this is the first dark work I've read by her.. and I loved it. It gives such Bioshock nostalgia, with the wonderful art deco submersible, the mindlessly aggressive enemies, and the water filled sections - truly just the perfect vibe for this story. Kess and Nix are such a great pairing, reminding me a little of Vi and Kate from Arcane - Nix a powerful fighter from the outskirts of the city, Kess the high-born smart gun wielder. Made me love them all the more and so impatient for next year's sequel to find out what happens to them!
4.75⭐️ - A thrilling lovers to enemies to lovers sapphic undersea adventure with Bioshock vibes!
Sargent Nix Marr hasn't seen her former royal paramour, Subarch Kessandra, for over four years. Not since a horrific cave-in below the underwater city of Fall robbed her of a best friend and had Kess abandoning her. Understandably then that she's not best pleased when the Subarch shows up to observe her squad's training session and announces that she's looking for a bodyguard to protect her on a return trip to the depths. Her sense of trouble is confirmed when Kessandra shows up in her father's home the next day, offering to fund his medical treatment in return for Nix's cooperation, leaving her little choice. As the two embark on the three day journey to Fall within The Luminosity - a town sized giant submersible - things go from feeling bad, to being distinctly terrible, and the two must work together to safe as many as they can.
I have loved Rebecca's cosy fantasy writing for a while now, but this is the first dark work I've read by her.. and I loved it. It gives such Bioshock nostalgia, with the wonderful art deco submersible, the mindlessly aggressive enemies, and the water filled sections - truly just the perfect vibe for this story. Kess and Nix are such a great pairing, reminding me a little of Vi and Kate from Arcane - Nix a powerful fighter from the outskirts of the city, Kess the high-born smart gun wielder. Made me love them all the more and so impatient for next year's sequel to find out what happens to them!