Melissa McCloneRecensioni
Autore di Mistletoe Magic
Recensioni
Cupcakes & Crumbs (Berry Lake Cupcake Posse Book 1) di Melissa McClone
Update: I did go back to it but it wasn’t worth it. I think I skimmed the last few chapters.
Seeing Henry’s growth is admirable as he gets his hands dirty and learns what it means to truly put hand to plow. Elisabeth’s patience and adoration for her siblings shows her heart of gold and is a bright light that shimmers throughout the novel. I honestly loved the family dynamic just as much if not more than the romance that is building between Henry and Elisabeth. Elisabeth’s siblings are each so great and have such unique personalities that mesh so well with one another and add so much spark to this story.
I am a sucker for a good fish-out-of-water story, and you can’t get a better tale than with billionaire Henry Davenport roughing it on a family-owned farm. I am normally not one for billionaire novels but there is something special about the Billionaire Matchmaker series. Henry truly cares and wants nothing but happiness for his friends, which is so incredibly sweet. He’s done so much for them that they now have the opportunity to give back not only to him but also to the most deserving family.
The spark between Henry and Elisabeth is electric and organic, like they truly were meant for one another, even though they are both from completely different worlds. I immensely enjoyed watching their relationship grow as they each grew individually and as a family as well. The Payback Adventure was an addicting tale that I was sad to see end. This series continues to get better and better, and I am so here for it!
*I have reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Wedding dress designer Serena James makes the choice to go to a bridal show in Seattle to get away from a broken reality. A planner to a fault, Serena can’t handle the fact that her relationship to her longtime boyfriend has ended, and didn’t go as she had planned. She craves a husband and family more than anything and decides not to give up on her dream, but to focus on her work of designing sought-after wedding gowns for the time being. What she doesn’t expect is to have to face the most unplanned and uncontrollable situation of her life but luckily, she doesn’t have to face it alone.
Laid back pilot Kane Wiley is also making big changes in his life. When he flys the beautiful Serena to a bridal show in Seattle, he doesn’t expect a situation to occur while flying home that will test his knowledge and challenge his strength, all the while endearing him to straight-laced Serena in ways he couldn’t have imagined.
On the surface Kane and Serena are polar opposites but one thing they have in common is that they each like to be in charge, and I loved seeing them battle it out for domination. It reminded me so much of how my husband and me have been throughout our relationship, especially in the beginning. To go through the ordeal that Serena and Kane endure is something out of my personal nightmares, but to see how they relied on one another and overcame was awe-inspiring. Their differences complimented one another’s beautifully and it was such a joy to read their journey.
I read this novel in practically in one sitting, absolutely eating it up. I love this series so much and how each volume picks right up where the other leaves off, and I cannot wait for the next book coming this summer!
*I have reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through BookSprout. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
The characters- Ry was not my favorite. His personality was that of a drunk playboy. But, he changes and becomes a better man!
Brynn is fabulous! She's determined and strong! She has major setbacks, but she keeps on persevering. She also finds out some heartbreaking news that shatters her self-esteem.
Ry and Brynn struggle in their relationship because they both are haunted by their pasts. They have to decide if they're willing to let go and love each other.
The best part of the book was the ending! It was very satisfying!
Zoe Carrington is an ultra rich socialite and party girl, but in order not to ruin her mother's politic aspirations, she has to go into hiding for some time. In the village of Hood Hamlet in Oregon she meets Sean Hughes, the owner of a snowboard company, who gives her a lift. When he has an accident and needs a carer, she moves in with him and takes on the role of a pretend girlfriend to stop his mother's interfering.
Apart from the utterly predictable plot, I thought that a lot of the dialogue - especially towards the end - was badly written. It was also hard for me to sympathize with the problems of someone as rich and sheltered as Zoe, and her transformation was hard to believe. Unfortunately, there was almost no mountain rescue in this story and the mountain rescue team does not appear a lot.
However, I still liked the atmosphere of Hood Hamlet as well as Sean as the male protagonist. There were some chapters I really enjoyed and I do hope that book 3 is better - I will read it because the female protagonist is one of my favourite side characters.
Billionaire Henry Davenport loves two things: spending money and matching up his friends. So far his endeavors have been nothing but a success, so he has another go and sets his eyes on his good friends, millionaire seeker Cynthia Sterling, and trying-to-escape-his-family Cade Armstrong Waters. Cynthia represents everything Cade is trying to escape from, but when Henry agrees to an insanely generous donation to Cade’s foundation for at-risk children in exchange for spending two weeks on a deserted island with Ms. Sterling it is an offer Cade can’t refuse. Thus begins The Island Adventure.
It felt like I was in a dream the entire time I read. I normally am not one for billionaires as they normally rub me the wrong way, but there was something magnetic about Cade and Cynthia, though it took me some time to get there. Truth be told, Cynthia annoyed me from the get-go. She is so overly self-absorbed and superficial that it is beyond cringy to read, but over time she did grow on me, and her redemption arc is one of the strongest I’ve read in awhile. I liked Cade from the start, though it’s clear that he too has quite a chip on his shoulder. Once I saw Cade and Cynthia together it’s obvious what Henry saw all along. They truly bring out the best in one another and give the other a reason to grow, and you love to see it.
There are moments that are tongue in cheek, while also scenes that are nothing short of magic, and everything in between. There truly is not a dull moment in this novel and I loved every bit of it. There is something endearing about a billionaire matchmaker and flawed, privileged characters that you love to see, and I cannot wait to see where this new series takes us next!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Kelsey is the “Wedding Planner to the Stars” and is a woman that is closer to a realist than a romantic. When she is propositioned to plan the fifth wedding for a runaway bride that she’s refused to work with she is steadfast that this is the last and final time. If it weren’t for the charming man doing the asking, and his family, Kelsey wouldn’t say yes, but she does, and the whirlwind wedding planning commences. She has only weeks to pull off the impossible but lucky for her Will, the brides brother, is there to help lend a hand, and what happens goes beyond a normal wedding planning job and enters fate territory.
I felt absolutely enchanted as I read this novel. It is obvious there is something magical happening between Kelsey and Will and I adored every sweet moment, and every swoon-worthy kiss. What starts out as planning an impossible wedding ends up being a journey of two people who find dreams that they didn’t know existed within themselves, and it was such an enjoyable journey to watch. Honestly, I could easily see this as a Hallmark movie and it would be one I would definitely watch. I devoured this novel and honestly cannot wait for the next book to release. Melissa did a great job as it is another strong start to what looks to be a super cute series.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Oh gosh - a prince falling for a marketing genius/television producer?! I am in! Seriously, I love marketing and love seeing a story that I relate to. I just... uh... need to find the prince now, right guys? Emily loves her job and wants to move towards being a partner, but that darn glass ceiling keeps hitting her in the face. But now, she has created a Bachelor styled show to find Prince Luc a wife! It reminded me of that fake Prince Harry Bachelor styled show to be honest!
Throw in that handsome prince who has a heart of gold (despite being a supposed "bad boy") and has his own foundation to help kids! Seriously, Melissa knows how to play to my heart! Luc is the dream prince every girl has dreamed of! He seems to lack some real big flaws, but he does let his family throw some dirt on his name.
To literally quote the book: "Sweet. Tender. Oh my." That was what I felt about this book - it is seriously the perfect quote. It's a romantic love story that makes your toes curl AND it's only about PG/PG-13. There's no erotica, no sex scenes - just some sweet kisses that will make your heart sing.
My biggest complaint about this book was that it was too short. I would have loved a couple of more chapters to flesh out some of the scenes we didn't see, but it was still good! Melissa McClone is a remarkable romance author and I definitely want to read more by her ASAP!
Side note: BEAUTIFUL cover. Ugh. She looks like a princess!
This book is apart of a series but each book is by a different author. So in my mind, while it is a series... this book totally stands on it's own. I hope Melissa carries this book out as her own series too, though!
Overall, I think this is a lovely book! It is soft, sweet and all around lovely! If you're looking for a contemporary read with the right amount of romance then I'd recommend this book.
Four out of five stars!
I found this book for free through Bookbub or iBooks. I can't quite remember which one I saw it on, but it was a freebie!
One thing that I loved about this novel were the little twists that I wasn’t expecting, like who’s wedding it was, and who stays together versus who sadly doesn’t. I ended the novel with an audible gasp, my hand over my mouth, and a look of bewilderment on my face. I was truly shocked when I read the last line and couldn’t believe that this was how this novel ended. With the way the story was going towards the end of the book it was obvious the novel would end on a cliffhanger, but I did not expect this twist whatsoever. I truly hope the final installment will come early, as I don’t know if I can make it to May 2024 without knowing what’s going to happen!
I don’t know how Melissa McClone does it, but she is such a wonderful storyteller that takes you into the lives and hearts of these characters, and makes this world come alive. Each character has their own unique and individual voice, and the support that they give one another is unsurpassed. It’s truly friendship goals to the ninth degree. Berry Lake and all of its inhabitants have become like family to me, and though this was the messiest story of the series so far, it also gave a realism that made this world all the more real.
I wish so much that this series could go on forever, but sadly I will have one more book to devour before the Berry Lake Cupcake Posse (hopefully) lives happily ever after. With the little twists, the drama, the love, support, and friendship and, of course the cupcakes, Weddings & Wishes is a sweet and savory treat that I did not want to end.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
At his royal birthday party, Prince Richard meets Christina Armstrong, an American heiress whose klutzy reputation precedes her. When she tries on the ring and it won’t come off Christina feels like she has committed the ultimate blunder, especially when her first meeting with Prince Richard didn’t go so great. This sets in motion a chain of events that neither Richard nor Christina could’ve possibly imagined, making them both wonder if there is truly magic in the ring.
From the beginning Prince Richard rubbed me the wrong way. He comes across as incredibly selfish and closed-minded, and there were even times I felt predatory vibes from him, which was off-putting. Though he does start to redeem himself as the story progressed I never could quite shake my dislike of him.
Christina, on the other hand, has a heart of gold, so it was easy to fall in love with her. Doing every crazy thing the prince asked her to in an attempt to remove the ring without question says so much about her character, though I do wish she would’ve fought him just a little bit more, and had just a touch more sass.
The part that I knew I was enchanted myself was when Richard and Christina visit the children’s hospital and Christina helps the little girl with her drawing for the prince. Both Richard and Christina show their compassionate sides and this is when I could see a true change in the prince, which was a welcome change for me. From then on I couldn’t put this novel down, as I had to see if the ring could truly work it’s magic, and make these two open their eyes to what is right in front of them.
Melissa McClone has done it again! I’m not normally one for stories that involve royalty but I was smitten with this Cinderella-inspired story. The characters are down to earth and engaging, and it’s a quick story that you can easily get swept away in.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
With what little interaction we’ve had with Flynn in past novels I had expected him to be more on the dry side, but what I hadn’t expected was this brainiac workaholic surgeon to be so narcissistic! In his mind there is nothing more than his career and no room in his life for anything else, including his family, or even sleep for that matter! It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a character so self absorbed and unaware of just how toxic his behavior is to those around him, but hello Flynn!
Anna is his polar opposite, giving so much of herself to help out her friends that it doesn’t leave much for herself to be replenished, especially with the added responsibilities she gets in this novel of taking on more responsibilities at the doggie daycare, as well as planning the baby shower.
Seeing Anna and Flynn together highlights just how different these two are until Flynn’s caretaker side starts to show, and their chemistry fires up, a connection that is unmatched. This wasn’t my favorite story in the series thus far, most likely due to the rough start between Flynn and Anna, but I still enjoyed this read nonetheless. I just adore this series so much and reveled my time in Silver Falls!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
With the help of Higgins, Elias’s foster pup, Tasha and Elias have a meet cute and it was adoration at first sight that was quickly realized to be something deeper. A relationship with an expiration date is always a recipe for disaster, but the heart wants what the heart wants, which is why Elias and Tasha decide to throw caution to the wind, not label anything, and live in the magical, holiday moment, something my romantic heart greatly appreciates.
Let me just say The Berry Lake Cupcake Posse is hands down one my all-time favorite clean romances series, so it felt amazing to be back in my favorite place with some of my favorite characters. Not all the main Posse gals are in this story, but all of them are mentioned and it got me even more excited for the next Cupcake Posse novel.
The Last Cottage on Pinewood Lane has the same flavor of the series, though this is not officially apart of the actual series. The magical feel of Berry Lake itself, with all of the picturesque cast of characters and setting, paired with the enchanting feel of the holiday season, made this novel sheer perfection. I rooted for Elias and Tasha both personally and professionally, but Higgins was actually my favorite part of the story. He is such a cute little matchmaker and companion for Elias and helped bring out the best in him.
The writing and flow is perfect and I felt like it was almost too short. I wanted more!! This truly was the perfect holiday read and was my favorite of 2022.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read through Kindle Unlimited with JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
With the closing of her parents’ ice rink and the loss of another opportunity, Tasha is struggling with what’s next. Her short-term solution is a visit to Berry Lake where she’ll enjoy a quiet season alone—no Christmas allowed, but it doesn’t take long for this little town to pull her into its charms.
And then she meets Elias. Their attraction and interest are immediate, but they are both staring at uncertain futures. But Christmas has a way of bringing hope to situations that sometimes feel hopeless.
Even though this is a fast romance, McClone paces it well and made me believe this couple has a fight chance at happiness. The setting, the characters, and the romance tie this little read up with a big red bow. A perfect read for an evening at home during the holiday season. And now I’m anticipating the upcoming Wishing Bay series.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.
The trope is a bit twisted, because Carly, the protagonist of "His Christmas Wish", does not move to a completely new place, but visits the town where she grew up after she has been away for some time. Six years ago, her brother and her fiancé died in a climbing accident and Carly moved away. Now she returns to help her brother's widow, who remarried and is heavily pregnant. And of course she meets Jake, her dead brother's best friend and once her teenage crush.
It all sounds a bit construed, but it worked for me. I absolutely loved the characters and the story became real to me. Although it is of course a little cheesy, it felt authentic and I felt at home in the town of Hood Hamlet and couldn't wait to read on. Christmas plays a part in many of the chapters, and I couldn't help but consume cookies most of the time I read. My only criticism is
Apart from that, I enjoyed this novel very much and I am looking forward to continuing with this series. The topic of mountain rescue adds interest because I have always been fascinated by operations like that. I am eager to learn more about the other members of the rescue team.
This was a nice, clean, and wholesome read. I really liked the autumn setting of the book, it was good to read around Halloween. I enjoyed reading about all the yummy lattes Raine created, with pumpkin flavors, spices, with cream on top, they all sounded so delicious! I liked both Raine and Keaton, they were opposites attracting. The secondary characters were interesting and have their own stories in other books in the “Silver Falls” series.
A wonderful read by Melissa McClone.
Keaton is on the right track in life. He’s a professor that is about to tenure, until he’s let go due to budget cuts, and his perfectly planned life is now not so perfect. He goes to Silver Falls to regroup and figure out what his next step is going to be. This is the first book I’ve read in the Silver Falls series, but it is clear that Keaton and Raine have met, and soon they are getting to know each other even better as they plan out this year’s Boo Bash, the local Halloween festivities put on by the local business association.
I will admit it took me a bit to get all the characters straight, a big reason why I will be going back to read more in the series, but the further I got into the book the more I became vested in all of these wonderfully quirky characters, and this charming Washington town.
I hate how both Keaton and Raine are both starting out the story with such huge setbacks in their lives. My heart goes out to both of them instantly, understanding all too well the plights that they both find themselves in. Though they are complete opposites, at first glance, they are both immensely driven, some thing I greatly admire, but it is clear to see why they both are struggling like they are, especially Keaton. His whole identity is based on being a professor, and without that identity he is lost. The more you read, the more you see these two are actually perfect for each other, each complimenting the other beautifully, and the chemistry between the two is obvious to everyone, including one another.
One thing that really stuck out to me was Keaton’s family. I know Callie, Keaton’s sisters, love story is in book one, so I know I will see more from the family when I read the rest of the series, but even in this book the family structure and support is clear. Though the Andrews family is incredibly high achieving they obviously are very supportive of one another, something that is truly heartwarming to me as you don’t always see such a strong family dynamics anymore.
Overall I was charmed and smitten with this story, especially the ending, which had me seriously swooning!! All the talk of pumpkin flavored coffee drinks made me seriously crave a Pumpkin Spice Latte the entire time I was reading. Though I love my pumpkin I don’t go as crazy as some and have my few choice pumpkin flavored products and that’s it, though I am intrigued by a few drinks that were mentioned in the story.
I have fallen in love with this cast of characters, and this series! It was the perfect read to kick off the fall season!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
I cannot remember the last time I felt this kind of angst. Kittens & Kisses leaves off on a literal cliffhanger that had my heart pounding. I feel such a connection to these women, which is why I ended the book with a wail, whaling “No!!”
The author recommends that you read this series in sequential order, and after reading this novel I can see why. Not only are there multiple spoilers, but it takes a few books to really feel the reciprocity between yourself and the characters, and once you do the loyalty is fierce.
It’s been awhile since I’ve read the first two books, so it took me a bit to get my bearings, but once I was reacquainted with the Posse, and the goings on in Berry Lake, there was no escaping. I finished the novel in mere hours, physically unable to put the book down.
While every character in the Posse is highlighted in the narrative, the main focus of this novel is Missy, Bria, and their situations. Kittens & Kisses literally picks up where Tiaras & Teacups leaves off, so the fire at the shop is still a hot topic, which intimately affected Bria and Missy. Because I do not believe in spoilers, I can’t say much more, other than the heat is turned up even more, drama and tension building more and more with each novel.
Melissa wrote this book while dealing with the loss of her brother, with whom this novel is dedicated to, and I commend her so much. I cannot even imagine what she’s been through, but I feel like she poured her pain onto the pages, and I could feel the incredible emotion behind the words, and thank her for her dedication.
This is hands down my favorite read so far this summer and I cannot praise this novel enough. This series is character-driven and so full of heart and real-life drama. You feel like these could be people in your own community, and it’s hard not to feel protective of them and their plights.
I am now impatiently waiting for book four, and can’t wait to see where the Posse goes next.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
The devastating breakup is prevalent throughout the novel, which is understandable considering it went viral, and there were moments I just wanted to reach through the pages and shake Marley. Von is seriously too good to be true! He’s every woman’s dream, which made me feel like everyone else: how did Marley let him get away?! I wanted to root against this woman that broke Von’s heart but, just like Von, I gave her another chance.
Though Von and Marley are opposites in every sense of the word their creative minds and talents are the perfect pairing, like two puzzle pieces that fit together seamlessly, and it was a fun ride seeing the pieces of their broken relationship be put back together again. All of the emotions are in this story and I found myself riding the waves, getting fully vested in these characters.
I have been a fan of Melissa McClone since the first novel I read by her, and with each book I become a bigger and bigger fan. This series is adorable and I love that it features different authors! Sweet Do-Over is a quick, second chance read that captures the heart and the imagination, reminding us all that we all could use a do-over.
*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.
Questo sito utilizza i cookies per fornire i nostri servizi, per migliorare le prestazioni, per analisi, e (per gli utenti che accedono senza fare login) per la pubblicità. Usando LibraryThing confermi di aver letto e capito le nostre condizioni di servizio e la politica sulla privacy. Il tuo uso del sito e dei servizi è soggetto a tali politiche e condizioni.