Zara’s Summer Reads: 10 Novels to Enjoy
Here are ten brief book reviews for books that have I enjoyed reading over the last few months. There’s romance, fantasy , a thriller, and a mystery too. Maybe one of these books you entice you to curl up and relax.
**A Zara West Guest Author**
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Set in a small beach town in Rhode Island, a woman with a closed-off heart has a choice to make when the man she thought abandoned her, arrives unannounced, and declares his love. A story of mistakes, loss, and second chances perfect for readers who love small town romance.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Best friends make plenty of wrong decisions before they end up where they belong in each other’s arms. A well-woven tale of regret and struggle about what happens when you don’t follow your heart.
One Night Wife by Ainslie Paton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A light-hearted, clever romance about a lovable con man and the woman who unwittingly cons him into loving her. A fun read.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantasy at its best. Twists and unique characters make this magical story about a wizard, a peasant girl, and an evil woods shine. Loved it!
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A light-hearted romance based on the premise of a “man fast” i.e. having nothing to with men for, in this case, 72 days. I had some difficulty with the term man-fast as it didn’t always flow in the text and the heroine didn’t really stick to it. But the romantic couple have enough chemistry to carry you through the story nevertheless. All in all a fun read.
Archer’s Voice by Mia Sheridan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A romance story that pulls you in and makes you care about the hero and heroine. Great read.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
More of a police procedural than a mystery, the story has a real sense of realism. and the characters are shown doing the hard work it takes to catch poachers in Baniff National Park. Well-worth reading.
Sooner or Later by Elizabeth Adler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An edgy thriller with a man bent on revenge, an unsuspecting chef with a restaurant to run, and a recently retired NYC cop makes for a real page turner. Beautifully plotted, you won’t be able to stop turning the pages.
The Engagement Game by Jenny Holiday
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This fake fiancee romance stars a delightful heroine of Indian descent who tangles with a Jewish marketing CEO who doesn’t do relationships in this touching story that involves good causes, a nasty father, and a series of dogs in need of love. Great book
A New Leash on Love by Debbie Burns
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love dogs? This is the romance for you. The heroine runs an animal shelter and works hard to get her dogs and cats and more critters adopted to good homes. But when a puppy is dropped off by a charming man, attraction sparks. However although both are good people, neither is in a good place for romance. With two charming children, a cast of animals awaiting adoption, and plenty of side characters, this book tugs on your heart strings. Highly recommended.
