An entertaining opposites-attract love story.
In this romance, a young woman spends years wondering about the handsome man she met during a fateful snowstorm only to discover that he’s her new boss and he’s nothing like she thought.
Just 20 years old, Sara Colbert was understandably frightened to be home alone in rural Tennessee during an aggressive snowstorm. After the power went out, it wasn’t her parents but a strange man who pounded on the door, seeking refuge after his car ran off the road. Sara spent one unforgettable night getting to know the attractive man in the candlelight, but by the next morning, he was gone. Worse yet, there was a tragic accident, and Sara’s family never made it home. Four years later, Sara is still dealing with the fallout. She’s part of the computer support staff at a company called Infonet, and it turns out her boss is none other than Darren Hartford, the man she met during the snowstorm. Darren claims never to have forgotten her, but Sara’s heard rumors about his rakish ways. She has too much responsibility already and cannot allow the kind of drama a man like Darren could bring into her life. He insists his intentions are pure and begins to wear her down. When a misunderstanding leads Darren to behave badly, Sara’s ready to write him off forever. But he learns the secrets she’s been keeping and realizes he can never let her go. Told in the third person, the novel alternates between Sara’s and Darren’s perspectives throughout the story. From the very start, the tale contains several moments that require a suspension of disbelief, as when Sara lets a stranger into her empty home with only the most minimal persuasion. Even so, Price provides sufficient details and background about the characters that the emotions and yearnings the couple experience feel authentic. The story’s supporting characters are also additive, as their needs and behavior shed light on the protagonists’ motivations. Certain moments feel overly rushed, lacking development as the author zooms through some plot points. But the speedy plot is still sufficiently engrossing that readers will enjoy hurrying along with the author to the tale’s inevitable conclusion.
An entertaining opposites-attract love story.Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-980533-76-4
Page Count: 143
Publisher: Independently Published
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
With captivating dialogue, angst-y characters, and a couple of steamy sex scenes, Hoover has done it again.
After being released from prison, a young woman tries to reconnect with her 5-year-old daughter despite having killed the girl’s father.
Kenna didn’t even know she was pregnant until after she was sent to prison for murdering her boyfriend, Scotty. When her baby girl, Diem, was born, she was forced to give custody to Scotty’s parents. Now that she’s been released, Kenna is intent on getting to know her daughter, but Scotty’s parents won’t give her a chance to tell them what really happened the night their son died. Instead, they file a restraining order preventing Kenna from so much as introducing herself to Diem. Handsome, self-assured Ledger, who was Scotty’s best friend, is another key adult in Diem’s life. He’s helping her grandparents raise her, and he too blames Kenna for Scotty’s death. Even so, there’s something about her that haunts him. Kenna feels the pull, too, and seems to be seeking Ledger out despite his judgmental behavior. As Ledger gets to know Kenna and acknowledges his attraction to her, he begins to wonder if maybe he and Scotty’s parents have judged her unfairly. Even so, Ledger is afraid that if he surrenders to his feelings, Scotty’s parents will kick him out of Diem’s life. As Kenna and Ledger continue to mourn for Scotty, they also grieve the future they cannot have with each other. Told alternatively from Kenna’s and Ledger’s perspectives, the story explores the myriad ways in which snap judgments based on partial information can derail people’s lives. Built on a foundation of death and grief, this story has an undercurrent of sadness. As usual, however, the author has created compelling characters who are magnetic and sympathetic enough to pull readers in. In addition to grief, the novel also deftly explores complex issues such as guilt, self-doubt, redemption, and forgiveness.
With captivating dialogue, angst-y characters, and a couple of steamy sex scenes, Hoover has done it again.Pub Date: Jan. 18, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2560-7
Page Count: 335
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2021
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