Not Guilty of Books

  DECK THE PALMS by Annabeth Albert Release Date: December 4, 2024 Review I love stories that have a character discovering a new path or dream.  Nolan comes to Hawaii out of obligation to his family, putting his dreams of stardom and accolades on hold. What he discovers is a place where he belongs, makes a difference and falls in love. Despite Hawaii not being his first choice, you have to give him credit, he put his whole self into his new role. Granted he also had a particularly grumpy and sweet Merry by his side. And two especially wild but fantastic twins to keep them both on their toes. Such a heartfelt romance, and I really loved the setting, especially at Christmas, it was great to hear about different traditions and food, even if it did make me extremely hungry!! Add to your TBR List GOODREADS LINK Synopsis Nolan Bell has a very Merry problem this holiday season… As a native New Yorker, I’ve always dreamed of my name in lights on Broadway. But when my Army officer brot...

  ON THE EDGE Mount Hope - Book Three by Annabeth Albert Release Date: October 17, 2024 Review Jonas deserves an overabundance of love.  That guy gives and gives and gives.  It’s his turn to find happiness. Someone to care about him, and put him first.  At first, I worried Declan wouldn’t deserve him. So angry about his accident, so determined to not consider others in his decision to keep riding. A little too self-involved. But ultimately he’s a pretty good match.  He mellows and Jonas loves him. I enjoy their quiet moments reading cozy mysteries together. I love that there wasn’t any crazy drama around Jonas dating his BFFs son. And there’s no awkward age-gap weirdness. Another great small-town romance by a fav author. Add to your TBR List GOODREADS LINK Synopsis DANGER! RIDING TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE! My life is one big caution sign. Ever since my best friend’s all-grown-up son joined our shared home, I’ve been navigating a growing attraction to the injured mot...

  OFF THE CLOCK Mount Hope - Book Two by Annabeth Albert Release Date: July 25, 2024 Review We all love Annabeth’s military men, personally, my favs are the ones entering a second act in life. Throw in a small town and some awesome friends and I’ll always be satisfied. Caleb and Tony have a fling that’s not a fling, but they insist is a fling, with lots of introspection, pining and growth. Despite their age gap and different life experiences, they also have some deep similarities that allow them to find a connection beyond their steamy compatibility.  It made for a beautiful basis for something great. But first, they need to work through their baggage. Something they each give the other the strength to do. Add to your TBR List GOODREADS LINK Synopsis Starting over after retiring as an Army Ranger shouldn’t be this hard... For twenty years, I traveled the world as a special operations warrior. Newly retired at forty-two, I’m back in my hometown of Mount Hope, pursuing a second ...

  HOPE ON THE ROCKS Rainbow Cove - Book Four by Annabeth Albert Release Date: August 5, 2021 Audio Release Date: December 28, 2021 Narrator: Cooper North Review Aww, I love sweet stories with a little daddy kink! Think Lumberjack bartender daddy (yum!) and small-town family doctor (and a cutie). It’s a small-town romance with a boy who thinks he’s to old to want/need that and a daddy who needs to learn to put his own happiness first sometimes. Adam is a natural caregiver, so when Quinn gets drunk at his bar one night, it’s no surprise he takes care of him, and Quinn lets his daddy dreams slip Adam gets an idea. And from there, a friendship is born. It’s a sweet one, and where it starts with Adam giving something to Quinn, but it doesn’t take long for it to become clear that Quinn has plenty to give Adam too. Plenty that Adam needs. All in all, a cozy romance to warm the heart. Made even more so with Cooper North as the narrator of the audiobook. Add to your TBR List GOODREADS LINK ...

  UP ALL NIGHT Mount Hope - Book One by Annabeth Albert Release Date: March 28, 2024 Review This was like a warm hug. Just a delicious coming together of two older (40ish) men who have found themselves drawn together. Set in Mount Hope (love small towns!) with a group of friends and first responders who are at the centre of it all.  As this is book one we get an introduction to the friends, who are largely brought back together again over the desire to help one of them after his husband dies, along with his children (who are wonderful). I liked the narrative around our Irish fighter, Sean. He’s come to Mount Hope needing a change after his divorce, which was amicable (no ex-drama here!). He’s a bit of an eager puppy which is sweet and endearing from our burly 40ish ginger. And he has to figure out how to reign those instincts in so as not to scare Denver away. Because Denver…he’s a skittish one. Having grown up being moved from foster home to foster home has set his path for h...