Review

Fool Me Once: A Novel by Ashley Winstead – My Review


Title: Fool Me Once: A Novel

Author: Ashley Winstead

Release Date: April 5th 2022

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Second Chance

“A simmering slow burn bursting with banter… This is a romance for anyone who’s ever felt too messy to be loved.”

—ROSIE DANAN, author of The Roommate

In this fierce and funny battle of the exes, Ashley Winstead’s Fool Me Once explores the chaos of wanting something you used to have.

Lee Stone is a twenty-first-century woman: she kicks butt at her job as a communications director at a women-run electric car company (that’s better than Tesla, thank you), and after work she is “Stoner,” drinking guys under the table and never letting any of them get too comfortable in her bed…

That’s because Lee’s learned one big lesson: never trust love. Four major heartbreaks set her straight, from her father cheating on her mom all the way to Ben Laderman in grad school—who wasn’t actually cheating, but she could have sworn he was, so she reciprocated in kind.

Then Ben shows up five years later, working as a policy expert for the most liberal governor in Texas history, just as Lee is trying to get a clean energy bill rolling. Things get complicated—and competitive—as Lee and Ben are forced to work together. Tension builds just as old sparks reignite, fanning the flames for a romantic dustup the size of Texas.

Fool Me Once is a quirky and fun read. Lee Stone is smart, strong, and funny. She also has her issues which we see come out during the story. While this was a fun read for me, it had some cringe moments. It made me say “Girl what are you doing?!” more than once. I think that is what makes Lee relatable. The other characters are not perfect and some are not likable at all. The energy between Lee and Ben is great. The playful banter between the two had me laughing. I kept saying “Just kiss already!”

This is not my normal kind of read and I’m glad I took a chance on it! It was fun along with some heartfelt moments that caused me to tear up. This is a new to me author and I will be looking into her other book. If you love fun quirky romance reads, I highly recommend you check this book out! I give it 4 stars.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*

Author Spotlight · Interview with an Author

Interview with an Author featuring Emily James

The Literary Vixen presents…

 

Joining us today is Emily James! Author of The Love in Short series .

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi!

I’m Emily James, author of spicy romantic comedy books.

As a mother of three humans and two fur babies, life is very busy but writing helps keep me (semi) sane.  I’ve written ten romcoms and have many more planned. 

I love food (though my skills in the kitchen are average at best—I once accidentally baked a pair of kitchen scissors), crafting, and changing the colour scheme of our home not less than annually (which drives my poor hubs utterly bonkers with all the added DIY it adds to his list). 

Mostly, I can be found going on long walks with our dogs along the Jurassic Coast near our house in the south of England or devouring books on the patio in our garden (when the wet British weather allows) or jotting down plots in my impressive collection of notebooks (more than 100!). 

I adore hearing from readers and can be found on FB, Insta and TikTok.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been plotting books my whole life and have journals filled with story ideas but the first finished story I remember was one I wrote in middle school. My main character was Tammie Tomato and it was about her capers in the supermarket after closing time. Honestly, it was pretty terrible so these days I stick to writing about real women and their hot love interests.

Describe a typical writing day.

After I have delivered my children at their various schools, I make a huge cup of tea and sit at my desk with Smooth Radio playing in the background. On my best days, 10,000 words will fly from my fingers as if by magic, other days it’s more like 2,000. Thankfully I have not yet been hit by the dreaded writer’s block.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

I am fortunate to live in a culture rich part of the world which is a mix of rural and urban. From Stone Henge, to Corfe Castle and beautiful beaches, busy towns and idyllic countryside, cool settings are literally at my fingertips. 
People fascinate me and the more eccentric or unusual they are, the more I like them. I’m also naturally quite curious (aka nosey 😜). I devour conversations, television and social media like a starved woman at a buffet. I’m constantly asking “what if” and like to inject crazy scenarios into the mundane—the more madcap the better! 
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
My books are all feel good fun with spicy, flirtatious romance at their hearts. Mostly, I hope they lift some of life’s stress away and leave a smile on my readers lips.
What is the significance of the title?
The titles to my books are all a fun nudge in the direction of my favourite question, “what if…”
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Fun, mischievous and a little loopy 🤪
What was the highlight of writing this book?
When a person reaches out to tell me my book made them laugh out loud or they leave a review that says they swooned or had All. The. Feels, I’m elated. There is no better feeling in the world. 
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?
I’m in the early stages of plotting a small town romcom series with interconnected characters. It’s going to be super hot and funny but it’s too early to give you much dirt at the moment. Watch this space!
What advice would you give to other authors?
Keep going! It sometimes feels like a lonely trip in which you spend long hours talking to yourself but holding your finished book in your hands is worth all the tears.
What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?
I bring the fun 🤩! My books are a lighthearted, romantic flash of respite in a sometimes stressful and too serious world.

 

Thank you Emily James for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her books today!


~Synopsis~

10 Dates

When Joanie’s flaky fiancé puts their wedding on the back burner, her friends take matters into their own hands. Ten blind dates in as many days seems like an outrageous idea — but is it just zany enough to help Joanie find true love?

10 Dares

When Melinda’s stress starts to get the better of her, her friends come up with an idea to put the fun back into friendship — but will ten dares help her loosen up and find love, or might they just send her over the edge?

10 Lies

When Katie wins a luxury holiday, she figures a little R & R time is just what she needs.

Enter Jackson Quinn, the hot doctor who she’ll probably never see again. There’s no harm in a few tall tales told to a holiday fling, is there?

Until he shows up on her home turf.

Can Katie cover her tracks or will Jackson be her undoing?

THE POWER OF TEN is a three book collection of hilarious romantic comedies that grab you by the collar and don’t let go. They are best enjoyed by readers over the age of 18 due to mature content.

Readers who like Christina Hovland, Meghan Quinn, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips will LOVE Emily James.

Some say Emily James is a British author who writes fun and sexy romance novels. Others say she is utterly bonkers and should pipe down a bit. No matter which camp you’re in, no one can deny that a little love and laughter makes every day better so if you haven’t tried her work yet, give it a go. It might just leave you with a smile on your face and a puddle in your pants!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tendates

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emily_james_author/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyjamesauthor

Review

Back in the Burbs by Tracy Wolff & Avery Flynn – My Review

Title: Back in the Burbs

Author: Tracy Wolff & Avery Flynn

Release Date: March 30th 2021

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Two powerhouse authors bring you a hilarious tale of one woman’s journey to find herself again.

Ever have one of those days where life just plain sucks? Welcome to my last three months—ever since I caught my can’t-be-soon-enough ex-husband cheating with his paralegal. I’m thirty-five years old, and I’ve lost my NYC apartment, my job, my money, and frankly, my dignity.

But the final heartache in the suck sandwich of my life? My great-aunt Maggie died. The only family member who’s ever gotten me.

Even after death, though, she’s helping me get back up. She’s willed me the keys to a house in the burbs, of all places, and dared me to grab life by the family jewels. Well, I’ve got the vise grips already in hand (my ex should take note) and I’m ready to fight for my life again.

Too bad that bravado only lasts as long as it takes to drive into Huckleberry Hills. And see the house.

There are forty-seven separate HOA violations, and I feel them all in my bones. Honestly, I’m surprised no one’s “accidentally” torched the house yet. I want to, and I’ve only been standing in front of it for five minutes. But then my hot, grumpy neighbor tells me to mow the lawn first and I’m just…done. Done with men too sexy for their own good and done with anyone telling me what to do.

First rule of surviving the burbs? There is nothing that YouTube and a glass of wine can’t conquer.

It seemed like a never ending bad day for Mallory. The hits kept on coming. Sounded like an interesting read. Let’s go!

Right from the start, I am put off by the main character, Mallory. While her humor was funny at times, it also came on too strong, too soon. Then she whined a lot. It made it hard for me to relate to her. As the story progresses, she’s isn’t so bad. The story is actually pretty entertaining. Mallory is a hot mess and that usually comes with humorous situations. Did I mention hunky neighbor Nick? Oh yes.

While the story as a whole is entertaining, it didn’t wow me. I had trouble staying engaged because of the main character. However this is a fun read and I know other readers would enjoy it. It just wasn’t for me. I give this 3 stars.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*

Review

Master Debater: A Billionaires of Boston Novel by Cynthia Page – My Review

Title: Master Debater: A Billionaires of Boston Novel

Author: Cynthia Page

Release Date: September 2nd 2021

Genre: Romantic Comedy

He’s always right… except when it comes to love.

In need of a fresh start, I move to Boston to fulfill my music-writing dreams. Next up, fixing my other pressing issue—ever since my ex-husband’s infidelity, I’ve been struggling to um, get there, regardless of how many oddly-named toys I try. Naturally, I’m carrying a whole box-full when my new, smokin’ hot neighbor barrels into me. My collection goes flying, and just like that, my unmentionables are on display.

Nathan Fox is a high-powered attorney intent on taking down the rival law firm that screwed over his family on his way to the top. When he overhears my solo-play struggle, he offers to be on top of something else—me. Turns out, his controlling tendencies are the key to unlocking my wildest fantasies.

As our heated nights extend into blissful days, I quickly begin to fall. But how can I give my heart to a man who’d rather be right and enact vengeance than give himself over to love?

A hot & hilarious standalone romantic comedy about a woman who gets in way over her head with her sexy billionaire next-door neighbor. Guaranteed HEA!

It has been awhile since I’ve read a book like this. I was not disappointed! It was a welcome escape from reality.

Willa is a very likable character. I was drawn to her. Related to her and her situation. I rooted for her the whole time. Nathan is a man who has his beliefs questioned when he meets Willa. The chemistry between the two is very sensual. Those scenes are steamy and seductive. Oh my! The story was entertaining as well as delightful. If you enjoy romance with a great story and some steam, this book is for you! This author is new to me and I will look for more books by her. I give this 4 stars.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion*

Author Spotlight · Interview with an Author · New Release

Interview with an Author featuring Lynn Dare

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is the writing duo, Lynn Dare! Their new release, The Perfect Bachelor: A Small Town Workplace Romance (The Perfect Man Book 4) released on August 13th 2021.

How long have you been writing?

Michelle Dare has been writing since 2014 and Michelle MacQueen has been writing since 2012.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

Since The Perfect Man series was a contemporary romance, we shot from the hip and built the world as we were writing it. If we had been writing fantasy or paranormal, we would have done a lot more planning.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

We were chatting one day about different tropes and cliches in romance and thought it would be fun to put those into a book series we could write together.

What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

We want them to laugh. To escape reality for a bit and have fun reading while also falling in love with our characters.

Describe your writing space.

Michelle Dare writes wherever she can find peace and quiet. Sometimes that’s on the couch in the living room, others it’s in her bedroom, or it’s at her desk. Michelle MacQueen has a giant bean bag chair in her office she does all her writing in. It’s next to sliding glass doors that look out on a deck surrounded by gorgeous trees.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

At the moment, Michelle Dare is tired, hungry, and excited to write her next book lol. Michelle MacQueen is tired, drained from writing so much, and still happy to be doing it.

What was the highlight of writing this book?

That we got to do it together. It was a great experience and we laughed a lot.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

Right now, we’re both working on separate projects. We both write full time so we’re always doing something.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Writing rom-com was new for both of us and we really enjoyed it.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

They’re a fun escape. They let you easily slip into the lives of our characters and enjoy the ride with them.

 

Thank you Lynn Dare for chatting with me! I will include their information down below. Check out the series today!

~Synopsis~

Welcome to Cape Kismet, where the neighbors are nosy, the bookstores offer an escape, and epic romances abound.

The Perfect Man:
What if the man she’s been searching for has been there all along?
Ellie Amore is a writer on a mission: find out what makes women fall in love, what makes a man so perfect readers don’t care if they’re fictional. To do this, she’ll need the help of her best friend, someone who watches out for her, feeds her tacos, and doesn’t mind when her cat hates him.
Sometimes, perfect is subjective. Sometimes there’s no such thing. But all the time, he’s there.

The Perfect Boyfriend:
What if she chose the wrong brother?
Eleven years ago, Kennedy said yes to a date with the man she’d spend the next decade with. Until now. She finds herself heartbroken and homeless. When her ex’s brother shows up like a knight in shining riot gear, all she can think is how much time she’s wasted loving the wrong man.

The Perfect Husband:
What if she accidentally married the right guy?
Cecilia is known for doing stupid, impulsive things, but this is by far the worst. A drunken night leads to a strange man claiming they’re married. Harley is an infuriating rebel with a camera and a panty-melting grin, but he’s also more.
He’s her friends ex, and maybe the one man who can match her irresponsible ways.

The Perfect Bachelor:
What if her boss isn’t the jerk he appears to be?
Sadie hates Grey the moment she crashes into him outside the bookstore. The feeling grows when she realizes he’s the only lawyer in town hiring, and she needs a job. They get off to a rocky start filled with plant pranks, one hundred pounds of potatoes, and a parade of his ridiculous friends.
But the more time she spends with the charming playboy, the more she realizes it’s all an act, and underneath the designer suits and chiseled jaw is a person worth getting to know.

This set contains four complete sweet and slightly spicy romances with plenty of swoons, heartwarming moments, and laughter.

Lynn Dare is the pen name for authors Michelle MacQueen and Michelle Dare. One day, they were talking about tropes and cliches when an idea was born. Next thing they knew, they had a book planned out. The Perfect Man is their first series together where they combine humor and romance. They hope you fall in love with their characters and laugh at their antics along the way.

New Release · Release Blitz

The Perfect Bachelor: A Small Town Workplace Romance (The Perfect Man Book 4) by Lynn Dare – New Release

The Perfect Bachelor: A Small Town Workplace Romance (The Perfect Man Book 4) by Lynn Dare is now available!

~Synopsis~

Welcome to Cape Kismet, where the neighbors are nosy, the bookstores offer an escape, and epic romances abound.

A little change? Try a whole new life.

I thought I was moving to a sleepy little town where nothing interesting happens. Taking on the care of my teenage brother wasn’t in the plans. Neither was getting into an argument with the charming man at the bookstore my first week in town. We fought, we fell—physically, not figuratively—we left. End of story.
Or, it should have been.
When I show up to a job interview, I’m ready to prove I’m good at what I do, to be taken seriously as a professional woman.
Then he’s there. The man from the bookstore. Greyson Amore.
Game over, right? It would have been if he didn’t want to hire me. And I needed the job. I could do this. I could keep my distance, ignore Grey’s disarming smile, and work for him.
Somewhere along the way, lost in a world of pranks with plants and potatoes, delicious tacos, and a restaurant with a ridiculous legend I forget what we’re supposed to be to each other. I forget to be annoyed, to deny him my smiles and friendship.
But there’s a reason this town calls him the perfect bachelor.
I was warned, urged to stay away.
Too bad I’ve always hated being told what to do.

The Perfect Bachelor is book four in the Perfect Man romantic comedy series. Dive in for plenty of swoons, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed HEA ending.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jhWgsm

New Release · Release Blitz

The Perfect Husband: A Small Town Fake Relationship Romance (The Perfect Man Book 3) by Lynn Dare – New Release

The Perfect Husband: A Small Town Fake Relationship Romance (The Perfect Man Book 3) by Lynn Dare is now available!

~Synopsis~

Welcome to Cape Kismet, where the neighbors are nosy, the bookstores offer an escape, and epic romances abound.

A little mistake? Try huge.
Being the screw up of the family is a talent, one I excel at.
I’m Cecilia Cabot, and I’m a teacher. Sounds pretty tame, right? Except I’m also a serial dater. Not by design, really. While the rest of my siblings are falling in love and settling down with their perfect matches, I’m going on dates with d-bags and finding out way too late that my partners have ridiculous clown fetishes.
Thank the clowns that last one wasn’t the man I met at the bar that night. The night of my huge, gigantic, exhilarating mistake. The night I got married.
Once we sleep off the liquid courage and have ourselves a wee bit of a freak out, we make a plan. Step one: Learn each other’s names. Step two: Figure out a way to keep everyone we know from figuring out how badly we messed up. Step three: Do not sleep together… again.
And finally, under no circumstances will we fall in love.
Harley Hardwick is not the man I’ve been waiting for. He’s infuriating and smug and I can hardly stand him half the time.
But the other half… I’m pretty sure all our steps won’t mean a thing if I can’t keep my heart out of this.

The Perfect Husband is book three in the Perfect Man romantic comedy series. Dive in for plenty of swoons, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed HEA ending.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VAgJRa

 

New Release

The Perfect Boyfriend: A Small Town Romance (The Perfect Man Book 2) by Lynn Dare – New Release

The Perfect Boyfriend: A Small Town Romance (The Perfect Man Book 2) by Lynn Dare is now available!

~Synopsis~

Welcome to Cape Kismet, where the neighbors are nosy, the bookstores offer an escape, and epic romances abound.

A hot brother? Try two.

Dating the same person for more than a decade has its pitfalls. Like being dumped out of the blue and realizing you have nowhere to go, no one else to rely on.
Yep, I Kennedy Davis was a fool. It wasn’t until Harley said he wanted to chase a big love that I realized what we had wasn’t it.
Sleeping in my car outside my favorite bookstore is what I always wanted to do. Really. We’ll call it “camping”.
When Hadden finds me “camping”, he offers me a guest room, no strings attached. But there are always strings.
Because he’s my ex-boyfriend’s older brother.
An older brother I once thought I’d loved.
Yeah, this will end well.
Did I mention he’s a cop who looks great in uniform? It’s only a matter of time before I smash the cardinal rules of breakups.
Don’t crush on your ex’s brother.
And definitely don’t fall in love with him.
Oops.

The Perfect Boyfriend is book two in the Perfect Man romantic comedy series. Dive in for plenty of swoons, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed HEA ending.

 

Amazon Universal: https://geni.us/theperfectboyfriend

Lynn Dare is the pen name for authors Michelle MacQueen and Michelle Dare. One day, they were talking about tropes and cliches when an idea was born. Next thing they knew, they had a book planned out. The Perfect Man is their first series together where they combine humor and romance. They hope you fall in love with their characters and laugh at their antics along the way.

Amazon – https://amzn.to/3zSXJfh

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lynn-dare

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/lynndare

 

New Release

The Perfect Man: A Small Town Brother’s Best Friend Romance by Lynn Dare – New Release

The Perfect Man: A Small Town Brother’s Best Friend Romance by Lynn Dare is now available!

~Synopsis~

Welcome to Cape Kismet, where the neighbors are nosy, the bookstores offer an escape, and epic romances abound.

A hot date? Try Five. 
Every time a perfect man shows up at my door, I swoon the proper amount and do my best not to stare at his chiseled features and firm… jaw. Yes, definitely his jaw.
But I, Ellie Amore, have a problem. It’s big, gigantic, and not in the good way.
None of these men are real. And that version of me? More fake than an author calling herself classy while drinking boxed wine in her yoga pants.
Me, that author is me.
I dream of hot men. Perfect men. Fictional men. These men go into my books, and it’s all I need for my messy cat-lady-living-above-a-bookstore life. Really.
I don’t need my brother’s best friend checking up on me. The man who brings me tacos. The one who is decidedly not perfect—as his enemy cat would tell you—but somehow might just be perfect for me.
I’m not sure how it all started or when he decided I was more than a favor to his friend.
All I know is Cruz is not a man from my dreams. This time, it’s different.
This time, he’s real.

The Perfect Man is book one in the Perfect Man romantic comedy series. Dive in for plenty of swoons, lots of laughs, and a guaranteed HEA ending.

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2W4tPGk

Amazon Universal: https://geni.us/theperfectman

Lynn Dare is the pen name for authors Michelle MacQueen and Michelle Dare. One day, they were talking about tropes and cliches when an idea was born. Next thing they knew, they had a book planned out. The Perfect Man is their first series together where they combine humor and romance. They hope you fall in love with their characters and laugh at their antics along the way.


Amazon – https://amzn.to/3zD5ZzR

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LynnDareBooks