REVIEW TOUR: The House Guest by Penelope Ward

 

Title: The House Guest

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist

Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract

Release Date: August 31, 2025

BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.

He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.

Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.

I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.

I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.

Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.

That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.

I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.

But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.

Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.

He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.

We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.

Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.

I was falling in love with him.

Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.

And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.

REVIEW

Reviewer: Kim

Rating: 5 Groupie Stars

Penelope Ward books are a must read for me. Her books I can never put down and this was the case with this book to. 

I enjoyed the story line and the characters personalties.

 Both characters face their own demons and tragedy in their past. There past tragedies is what brings the couple together tho and to fight them. Both needed each other to open their hearts and move forward and finally be happy. The chemistry they both had no bounds and that really came across in the book. 

Primrise is very independent and strong but beneath it all is hurt and pain. Her inner struggles were damaging to her and when she started moving on and opening up she got more strength. 

There weee a few twist and turns and tummy dropping moment which I expect from the author. 

Thus was another smash hit in my opinion. 

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free to read in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

DUET AUDIOBOOK

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

BILLIONAIRE HERO

ROOMMATES

TWIST

SLOW BURN

ANGSTY

OPPOSITES ATTRACT

AUTHOR BIO

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK
X

OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

SEE ALL BOOKS HERE

Release Blitz: Pretty Desperate by Lacey Black

 

Title: Pretty Desperate

Series: Pine Village #6

Author: Lacey Black

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Small Town/Friends to Lovers

Fake Relationship/Surprise Pregnancy

Release Date: September 2, 2025

BLURB

Jillian

They say when one door closes another one opens, right? When the door closed on my marriage, I was fortunate to follow a new dream. One that led me to opening my own bakery in downtown Pine Village. It hasn’t been easy, especially in the offseason, but I make it work. I’m content. Happy.

Then Kameron Markley showed up on my doorstep, begging me to be his fake girlfriend.

It seems like such a simple plan, especially when we’re both getting something out of it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long before lines are blurred and crossed, and suddenly, the relationship doesn’t feel so fake after all.

Kameron

For the last decade, I’ve poured my heart and soul into my restaurant, turning a small-town space into a top steak house. The building beside mine has been sitting for as long as I can remember, and the owner is finally ready to sell. The only problem is, she thinks it needs to go to a family man. Suddenly, I’m desperate.

That’s when I come up with the wild idea to find a fake girlfriend.

Jillian Kirby fits the bill to a T, and with a little negotiation, we’re able to work out a deal where we both come out ahead. What I wasn’t expecting was it being so easy to be around her. Suddenly, the lie we’re telling does feel like it’s so right. I want it to be real.

REVIEW

Reviewer: Chelsea

Rating: 5 Groupie Stars

Jillian runs her own bakery in Pine Village and is loves what she does. Kameron has been friends with Jillian for decade, since the two were kids. Kameron wants to expand his steakhouse, but the only thing standing in his way is the seller of the building he wants to use to expand. The problem is that they want to sell to a ‘family friendly’ person. 

Jillian knows how much Kameron and her both dedicate themselves to their work, so she agreed to be his fake girlfriend, in hopes it will help Kameron secure the building. 

The lines between friendship and real love blur between these two and soon two pink lines appear on a stick and both of their worlds turn upside down. This couple and how their ‘fake’ relationship shifted seamlessly into a real one was perfection! 

I loved these two together so much! Their connection was full of love attraction, lust and love and I devoured this book in one sitting!! As always Lacey Black hit it out of the park with this one!! 

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

A FREE PREQUEL

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

GOOGLE PLAY

Pretty Incredible (Book 1)

is 99c for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

All free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and three rowdy chickens.

AUTHOR LINKS

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

X

NEWSLETTER

REVIEW TOUR: Finding Romance by SE Rose

 

FINDING ROMANCE

SE Rose

Release Date: August 25

 

Piper Dawson is trying to figure out her life. After recently graduating from art school, she’s crashing at her mom’s house and rethinking all her decisions. She’s never had a real job, a boyfriend, or any close friends. What she does have is a great aunt who needs her help, so she’s packing up her life into a suitcase and heading to the city.

On paper, Kasen Saddler seemingly has a great life. He has a wonderful, doting grandmother, great friends and neighbors, the perfect apartment, and a job he loves. After staying with his grandmother for a few months, he’s home and starting to realize his secret traumatic past might be holding him back. But this former military special operations soldier isn’t quite brave enough to confront his fears…that is until a certain woman turns up in his apartment building’s hallway trying to find her aunt’s missing necklace.

What starts as a hunt for Piper’s aunt’s necklace, soon turns into Kasen agreeing to give the relationship clueless Piper dating lessons. There’s only one problem. The more time Kasen spends with Piper, the more he doesn’t want to stop helping her as a “practice” boyfriend.

Piper knows there’s more to Kasen than he’s willing to share. She wishes their relationship could be real. She also wishes she could stay and spend more time with all the new friends that she’s made in the building. But her time is running out. She’s already agreed to stay with her dad.

Will the secretive Kasen let himself finally find romance with the unlikely woman who fell into his world and stole his heart, or will Piper leave before they both realize what was pretend to begin with turned into something very real?

 

Grab your copy!

https://books2read.com/u/4jxknX

REVIEW

Reviewer: Heidi

Rating: 5 Groupie Stars

This is one of those books that you just want to re read the moment you are done ! One of those reads you want to climb into and be part of the people 🥰📕

The dedication had me tearing up and that’s already a sign of a 5 star read for be because it catches me before I’ve even really started ❣️

Kasen went to Scotland to be with his ailing gran and his housemates were concerned because he basically went off the grid and it made me think how disruptive technology actually is because when it’s not around we realise the value of time anyhoo I digress , kasen and his mates , neighbours and landlord are like a little family and it’s a clan I’d love to be part of to be honest …..

Piper is visiting her Aunt Cornelia who took a fall and needs to go for an op and that’s how she gets involved with “ the clan” and again my heart wants to burst at how they all rally around Cornelia but without making her feel helpless ….

Kasen is fighting his feelings but Piper is a little rag of sunshine that makes him feel like he can let his walls down and look if there were any 2 people I was cheering for it’s them , perfect match !

I can just imagine Hutch and the boys reading romance novels for “research “ 🥰😂 they’re all a bunch of softies that like to pretend they’re not I mean just look at them with little Ava , she’s got them all wrapped around her little finger 🥰😉

I laughed hard , I cried and I really just enjoyed being around these people and I didn’t want to let them go but at least o know I’ll be catching up with them all in the near future 

 

 

Meet SE Rose:

USA Today & International Bestselling romance author, S.E. Rose lives near Washington D.C. with her family.

When she's not wrangling her cats or keeping up with her kids, she's plotting her next story.

She loves all things wine, coffee, and cats.

In her non-existent free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, binging on her favorite shows, and reading, especially if it's a good mystery or comedy.

Keep up with SE Rose and subscribe to her newsletter: https://bookhip.com/LSMKWL

 

To learn more about SE Rose & her books, visit here!

Connect with SE Rose:

https://linktr.ee/seroseauthor

 

 

 

Hosted by:

Release Blitz: All Tied Up by Abbi Glines

𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑻𝑰𝑬𝑫 𝑼𝑷 (Mississippi Smoke Series book 7) by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abbi Glines is now LIVE.  Read the conclusion of Noa &  Ransom's story from the Mississippi Smoke series today! 

𝑨𝑽𝑨𝑰𝑳𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝑶𝑵 AMAZON NOW! More retailers coming!

https://geni.us/AllTiedUp

Read All Jacked Up 

https://geni.us/AJUAG 

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩: 

✔️Mafia romance
✔️Friends to lovers
✔️Touch her and ☠️
✔️Morally grey hero

Blurb: 

Noa

The man I’d grown to know over the past ten years through our texting was much different from the possessive, secretive, and dangerous one I was slowly unraveling. The different personalities he seemed to have were giving me whiplash. When he was with me, it was perfect, I didn’t question anything.

It was when he was gone that the insecurities crept in, and soon enough, those fears became reality. Like so many before me, I became one of Ransom Carver’s cast offs. Not only going completely silent, shutting me out, but he had broken me in ways not even my mother had been able to do.

Ransom

When called out, I had admitted to my mistake. But the price for it was too high. Never had I disobeyed an order, but I had never been told I couldn’t have the one person I depended on for peace. Being born into the southern mafia left you without a choice. It was simply a life you grew up in. You didn’t leave it. You lived it.

Staying away from Noa was asking too much of me. I’d tried, but my will was breaking along with my weak grip on my sanity. I was crossing lines that could get me killed, but even if she couldn’t see me, I had to protect her. Keep her safe. Do unsavory things to those who got too close or wanted what belonged to me.

Without her in my life, then the rest no longer mattered.

This is the continuation and conclusion of Noa and Ransom's story.

Find more books by Abbi Glines: https://abbiglinesbooks.com

IG READY POST

🥃𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 🥃

𝑨𝑳𝑳 𝑻𝑰𝑬𝑫 𝑼𝑷 (Mississippi Smoke Series book 7) by New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abbi Glines is now LIVE.  Read the conclusion of Noa &  Ransom's story from the Mississippi Smoke series today! 

𝑨𝑽𝑨𝑰𝑳𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑬 𝑶𝑵 AMAZON NOW! More retailers coming!

🔗 Links in bio @abbiglines

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩: 

✔️Mafia romance
✔️Friends to lovers
✔️Touch her and ☠️
✔️Morally grey hero

Blurb: 

Noa

The man I’d grown to know over the past ten years through our texting was much different from the possessive, secretive, and dangerous one I was slowly unraveling. The different personalities he seemed to have were giving me whiplash. When he was with me, it was perfect, I didn’t question anything.

It was when he was gone that the insecurities crept in, and soon enough, those fears became reality. Like so many before me, I became one of Ransom Carver’s cast offs. Not only going completely silent, shutting me out, but he had broken me in ways not even my mother had been able to do.

Ransom

When called out, I had admitted to my mistake. But the price for it was too high. Never had I disobeyed an order, but I had never been told I couldn’t have the one person I depended on for peace. Being born into the southern mafia left you without a choice. It was simply a life you grew up in. You didn’t leave it. You lived it.

Staying away from Noa was asking too much of me. I’d tried, but my will was breaking along with my weak grip on my sanity. I was crossing lines that could get me killed, but even if she couldn’t see me, I had to protect her. Keep her safe. Do unsavory things to those who got too close or wanted what belonged to me.

Without her in my life, then the rest no longer mattered.

This is the continuation and conclusion of Noa and Ransom's story.

#Alltiedup #Mississippismokeseries  #nowlive #newrelease #Oneclick #Abbiglines

RELEASE BLITZ: A Wreck You Make Me

 

Title: A Wreck, You Make Me

Author: Saffron A. Kent

Genre: Dark Forbidden Romance

Tropes: Bully Romance, Blackmail, Forced Proximity

Morally Grey Hero, Praise/Degradation Kink, Soccer

Release Date: August 8, 2025

BLURB

I have been in love with Shepard Thorne since I was twelve.

He’s my best friend’s hot older brother, and I am the weird redhead who low-key follows him everywhere. He’s soccer’s bad boy, and I am stuck in a dead end job, serving drinks at the local strip club.

Our paths aren’t meant to cross.

Until one day I catch him getting a lap dance at the club and jealousy makes me ruin his fun.

Now he’s made it his mission to make my life hell and no matter what I do, there is no escape.

Everywhere I turn, there he is, waiting for his payback.

He threatens to kiss me one second, and choke me the next.

He promises to bring me to my knees and make me beg.

What started as a little harmless prank turns into a twisted game of blackmail that’s toxic but oh-so-good.

But it has to end.

Because I have a secret...

That ties me to my tormentor in an irrevocable way, and if he ever finds out, it will wreck everything I now crave.

Even his revenge.

Note: This is a STANDALONE set in the world of Bardstown

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL / ALL LINKS

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

Saffron A. Kent is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and New Adult romance.

She has an MFA in Creative Writing and she lives in New York City with her nerdy and supportive husband, along with a million and one books.

WEBSITE

RELEASE BLAST: What We Keep by J.H Croix

 

WHAT WE KEEP

J.H Croix

Release Date: August 8

A swoony, small town romance from USA Today Bestselling Author J.H. Croix!

When the grumpy firefighter falls for the sunshine girl who turns his world upside down…

Elsa Whitney walks into my life like she owns the sun, all warmth and light, and shatters the quiet I’ve been clinging to. Not that I can blame her. She’s impossible to ignore. And somehow, I’m the idiot who offered her a place to stay.

Brilliant move.

I’ve got enough on my plate—raising my son, rebuilding my family’s resort, and trying to keep the pieces of my family together. The last thing I need is a distraction, especially one as tempting as Elsa.

Too bad my family is already smitten. Worse? They swear I’m less of a grouch with her around.

They’re not wrong.

Because the truth is, I don’t just want her in my house—I want her in my life, in my bed, in every moment I can steal. And once I finally give in? There’s no turning back.

If you love a grumpy firefighter who sets hearts ablaze and a heroine who makes him burn for more, this story is for you.

*A full-length, standalone romance.

Grab Your Copy!

https://geni.us/WhatWeKeepAmz

REVIEW

Reviewer: Heidi

Rating: 5 Groupie Stars

You know that feeling when you read a book and it feels like it’s hugging you !? Well this is one of those reads that just enfold you and leave all warm and fuzzy 🥰 ooooo and the cover art just gets the blood pumping !!

“For learning to give yourself grace “ LOVE THIS ❣️📕


Elsa grew up in Willow Brook Alaska but after her dad passed she and her mom moved away but she’s always longed after it and now she’s home and I love the goats and little Tommy as her welcoming home committee , let’s not forget the delectable Haven 🥰

Haven and his family grew up next to Elsa and her family , her dad was a strange but kind man and they were there fur her when he passed but also in high school they had feelings for each other but neither knew but those feelings are still there …..

Maggie the matriarch of the family is a real honey and has always has a soft spot for our Elsa and I think she fills a bit of the void left by Bree’s death 🤗 so Elsa is living in the little apartment above the farm and settling into the family routine and just blending in with them and it’s so beautiful to watch and be a part of it 🥰

Word of warning Tommy will own your heart along with his goats 🐐

These people have had fair share of heartache and deserve every ounce of happiness that comes their way 🥰 I didn’t want this read to end but now that it has the excitement can build for the next one 🥰📕😉

Meet J.H. Croix:

USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. She writes swoony contemporary romance with sassy women and alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, counting the turtles in her backyard pond, and running with her dogs, which is when her best plotting happens.

Keep up with J.H. Croix and subscribe to her newsletter: https://jhcroixauthor.com/subscribe/

To learn more about J.H. Croix & her books, visit here!

Connect with J.H. Croix:

https://jhcroixauthor.com/connect/

Hosted By:

REVIEW BLITZ: Forbidden Kisses by Layla Hagen

💜𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 💜

𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑲𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔: 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒅 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 (𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 2) by USA Today bestselling author Layla Hagen is live on Amazon and Audible and free with Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://geni.us/ForbiddenKisses

Audible: https://laylahagen.com/ForbiddenKissesAudible

Narrated by Sean Masters & CJ Bloom

What to expect:

💜Single Dad x Nanny

💜Forbidden

💜Forced Proximity

💜Billionaire Romance

Blurb:

Billion-dollar CEO and single dad needs a nanny - fast!

When I'm not making waffles for my son Jeremy or teaching him how to swim, I’m running a billion-dollar business. My life is scheduled to the minute. So when the nanny unexpectedly quits, I need a replacement.

Riley is not what I expected. She just graduated law school and wants a summer job before starting her legal career. My son Jeremy instantly likes her—she makes him laugh until his cheeks hurt.

Hell, she makes me feel carefree too, and I haven’t let my guard down ever since Jeremy’s mom left. I’m so attracted to Riley that I can’t even think straight. It’s not just her incredible curves that drive me crazy; I genuinely like her. She’s a lot like me: driven and focused, but also protective of her family, especially her little sister.

But Riley is only with us for the summer. Besides, I’m a single dad with a lot of responsibilities. Holding her back would selfish—falling for her would be reckless. I can’t keep her. She’s young, barely starting her career.

But the more time we spend together, the harder it is to ignore that Riley isn’t just perfect for Jeremy—she’s perfect for me too.

REVIEW

Reviewer: Chelsea

Rating: 5 Groupie Stars

This book follows the story of Duncan Sterling, and his nanny Riley. This definitely fit into the single parent troupe perfectly and I loved every page!!

The Sterling family dynamics are what I expect from a Hagen story, giving the reader plenty of meddling family members, laugh out loud moments and so much love!!

I loved the bond/relationship that Riley forms with Jeremy, Duncan’s son! This couples relationship was so dang perfect to read! I loved them together!! 

As always, One-Click Approved!!!

Add to 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒔: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/230831766-forbidden-kisses

Find more books by Layla Hagen here: LaylaHagenbooks