Yesterday, I posted my reviews for some thrillers/suspense books that I had listened to, today it is romance. These are books that I either read or listened to over the last couple of weeks. I enjoyed them all and recommend them to you romance lovers out there.

Tourist Season by Brenda Novak, Amy McFadden (Narrator)

Published April 2nd 2024 by MIRA, Harlequin Audio

4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love Brenda Novak’s books, especially her women’s fiction. Tourist Season is part women’s fiction, mystery, and romance. Ismay Chalmers is planning on meeting up with her fiancé, Remy Windsor, at his family’s summer home on Mariner’s Island. When she arrives, she meets the caretaker/handyman Bo who lives in a small cottage on the property. Remy is supposed to join her soon, but before he arrives, a hurricane hits the island. With damage to Bo’s cottage, she invites him to stay with her until repairs can be made. Unexpectedly, Remy’s twin, Bastian shows up with plans to stay at the house as well. He gives Ismay the creeps and she is very uncomfortable with him being there, especially as Bo is banished back to his damaged cottage. She also finds things in the house that have her worried about Remy and something he may have done in his youth. As she spends more time with Bo, she finds that she begins to care about him, a lot. When Ismay’s brother comes to the island after his marriage breaks up, the house and cottage, both begin to feel a bit too crowded. With secrets, family issues, lies and more, this story kept me interested from the first page to the last.

Tourist Season was an interesting story, especially with the secrets and the mystery. I really liked both Ismay and Bo and enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Bastian really gave me the creeps and I totally understood how uncomfortable Ismay felt around him. The mystery, that was old, dealt with a fire and death of a young woman, and I wasn’t surprised by the reveal at the end. I couldn’t understand how Remy allowed Ismay to stay in the house with his creepy brother either. With all the secrets finally revealed, I loved how the story ended. This was a book that had me worried, happy, frustrated, angry and finally smiling at the end. It is interesting to see how the Windsor family closed rank when called upon, but eventually Mrs. Windsor does the right thing. If you enjoy a book that has a lot of elements to it, but is also a sweet romance, then I recommend you pick up Tourist Season. One final comment, I don’t understand the title of this one. It really isn’t about the tourist season on the island at all, but that is a small point. The audiobook was narrated by Amy McFadden and I enjoyed her performance. She is able to give voice to the various characters and make them realistic. An enjoyable listening experience. I recommend this one in whatever format you enjoy.

The French Chateau Dream (Romantic Escapes, #10) by Julie Caplin, Sophie Roberts (Narrator)

Published June 30th 2023 by One More Chapter

5 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hattie Carter-Jones needs a new start after her relationship begins to flounder and losing her job. She accepts the offer from her uncle to plan her cousin’s wedding in France. They have booked the Chateau St. Martin for the wedding, and he wants Hattie on sight. When Hattie arrives she meets, Luc Bremont, the son of the owner. He was unaware of his father’s plans to turn the Chateau into a wedding venue. He wanted to reopen the family’s old distillery and begin making the champagne his family had been known for. Luc realized that he has to fulfill the contract his father agreed to and begins to work with Hattie, helping her to source things for the wedding. He also introduces her to what it means to live in a small village and slow down to enjoy life. In reverse, Hattie gives Luc a different perspective and that he can do both. Luc’s aunt is very much against Luc getting the champagne business going again, and he doesn’t know why. There are secrets to be revealed, lives to enjoy, and love to be shared.

Although this is the 10th book in the Romantic Escapes series, the story is a standalone and I enjoyed it very much. I enjoyed meeting both Hattie and Luc and loved their chemistry. The situation they found themselves in could have made a friendship impossible, but they both bent a little and made it work. The story is told from both their points of view. Hattie wants to make a name for herself in the wedding planning business, Luc wants to reopen his family’s champagne distillery, rather than see the grapes sold to others, as his father and aunt had been doing. The chateau has a housekeeper/cook/surrogate mother to Luc, and there is a major situation involving her daughter and the use of the chateau and the grounds. It almost derails the wedding, but Hattie doesn’t give up. The two months in France give Hattie perspective and she realizes that she’s in a relationship with the wrong man. This was a fun romance, with armchair travel, new beginnings and family secrets. The narration of the audiobook was wonderful. Sophie Roberts does an amazing job with the French accents, making this an enjoyable way to experience this story.

The Suite Life by Portia MacIntosh

Published April 16th 2024 by Boldwood Books

4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Suite Life is a fun romance, with family and humour. Gigi’s sister is getting married at a destination wedding in Hawaii and Gigi is going to be her bridesmaid. It should be something she is looking forward to, but her ex-boyfriend, Nathan, is going to be the best man. Nathan dumped her for a gorgeous reality star/social influencer named Sunshine and she will be attending the wedding. Gigi wants to find a date, but not any date, someone to show Nathan she can get a handsome, smart, and wonderful man. With no luck before the wedding, she is encouraged to find someone at the resort. Feeling a little down, she is shocked, but instantly perked up when she is told that she is being upgraded, to a luxurious suite and is waited on hand and foot. She tells everyone that she has a date and it is his room, so now she must find someone fast.

I really enjoyed this story. It was entertaining, had humor, karma, and romance. Gigi’s family are all wonderful. Her dad loves his jokes and although he could be embarrassing, was loved by his family. Her sister was very patient with Gigi, and really wanted her to enjoy herself. The only one that really frustrated me was Sunshine. She wanted to be the center of attention all the time and when she thought Gigi was, she tried to sabotage her. I liked Gigi’s new friend, Donnie. He was there by himself and was pulled along by her family, who really liked him. He was Gigi’s wingman when she was trying to find a date for the wedding. Some of those guys were hilarious and Donnie saved her more than once. I laughed out loud more than once. Some of the themes in this story include insecurity, friendship, loyalty, family relationships, honesty, social media, and romance. Of course this is a rom-com, so all turns out in the end, but what a fun time I had getting there.