Embracing the Change (River Rain #6) by Kristen Ashley is available NOW

 

He decided never again, and then he met her.

Embracing the Change, an all-new emotional River Rain novel from New York Times bestselling Kristen Ashley & Blue Box Press is now live!

That Kiss…

Gorgeous New York socialite, Nora Ellington has been waiting a very long time for her happily ever after.

So long, she’s given up on it and has decided, even though she’s the plus-one friend without benefits to a man she’s head over heels in love with, an HEA will forever be out of her reach.

Handsome billionaire Jamie Oakley thought he’d had two happily ever afters in his life. However, neither lasted long, and both ended in tragedy. He’s not about to try it again or put his children through the trauma Jamie has learned from experience undoubtedly will come their way.

And he’s made this decision even if the woman who’s become his constant companion is a woman he loves straight to his soul….and wants with everything that is him.

But then, one night, Jamie loses control and kisses Nora.

He can’t go there.

She can’t go on without it.

They’ll never be the same.

Or will they?

Start reading today!
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Keep reading for a look inside Embracing the Change!

His fork clattered on his plate, the sudden sound surprising me so much, I gave a slight jump as Jamie turned fully to me.
“Right, we’re here.”
Oh dear.
I wasn’t sure what “here” meant.
But I was sure I didn’t want to be there.
He carried on. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, and I’ll give you more time, but I do want to talk about it. However, for now I’ll just say, I can have you as I’ll allow myself to have you.”
As he’ll allow himself to have me?
What on earth did that mean?
“And in so doing, I have you,” Jamie continued. “You mean something to me. You’re mine. You’re a part of my life. You’re a member of my family. And I think you know I take care of those I love, Nora. That being the man I am, I cannot countenance this jackass annoying you or taking your time or infiltrating your life in any way that does not involve the children you share. Am I being clear?”
You’re mine.
I take care of those I love.
You’re…
Mine.
Those…
I…
Love.
“Nora,” he called. “Am I being clear?”

My Review

It should come as no surprise that I'm a) a HUGE Kristen Ashley fan and I will read anything she publishes and b) once this hit my kindle, I devoured it! 

KA always delivers more mature characters, a strong focus on family, and finding your happily ever after despite being burned before. This follows the similar themes. The focus here is on Jamie and Nora, and if you've read the series, you know that these are two who have loved and lost, and in Jamie's case, he wasn't ready to move forward after the loss of his second wife, and their first kiss. What seemed like a relationship that was destined, ended up with Jamie being a total tool and backing off when he really needed to move forward. Nora was patient (and at times, overly so), and yet, didn't advocate and fight for herself until she really needed to do so with Jamie. 

Throw in their exes, children, side characters, drama, the push-pull that only KA can deliver, and this was one that I'll absolutely read again. 

Often her books have me highlighting what I love to call "strong lines" and this one had some really good ones, and some heartbreaking ones including from Nora "Another day alone with the man I loved, who did not love me"

UGH! Right in the FEELS!

 

For more information about Kristen Ashley, visit:
https://www.kristenashley.net/

BRIDESMAID UNDERCOVER by Meghan Quinn is now available in all formats!

 

From USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a witty, friends-to-lovers… turns… enemies-to-lovers romance. BRIDESMAID UNDERCOVER is now available in all formats! Check out the excerpt below and one-click your copy of this steamy, hilarious romance today!

https://a.co/d/i4k8nSE

 

About BRIDESMAID UNDERCOVER:

Everly Plum is delighted to be heading up the Bridesmaid for Hire program at Magical Moments by Maggie. And when Hardy Hopper, one of their billionaire investors, approaches Everly for help with his friends' wedding, she's more than happy to step in. But Hardy has an extra assignment for her: his ex-girlfriend will be the maid of honor opposite his role as best man, and he wants Everly's help getting her back.

There's only one problem: Everly may have a tiny crush on the dashing businessman. But despite the way Hardy makes her stomach flutter, she's determined to prove herself, both as a bridesmaid and as a matchmaker. That is, until she finds her crush turning into real feelings. Not to mention, Hardy can't help but notice how well he clicks with Everly, and before he knows it, he's not looking for his ex's attention anymore.

But even after their simmering attraction finally rises to the surface, they will have to contend with meddling friends, poor timing, and professional boundaries—and the risk that no one might get a second chance after all.

ONE-CLICK YOUR COPY TODAY!

https://a.co/d/i4k8nSE

 

Read the Excerpt:

“When I say no one ever wants to share pizza with me, I’m not kidding,” Hardy says as he picks up a piece from our shared pie. The Uber dropped us off at a hole-in-the wall Italian place downtown, and we may as well be in Lady and the Tramp, just minus the spaghetti. “They always say pineapple isn’t supposed to be on pizza, but I don’t agree.”

“I’ve never had just pineapple, it’s always accompanied by ham or pepperoni, but I’m not opposed to this. It’s sweet, and the side of barbeque sauce is a nice surprise.”

“Good, right?” Hardy asks, waggling his brows.

“I would say more along the lines of interesting.”

“Hey, I’ll take it,” he says with a smile. “Maple never liked pineapple on pizza.”

Which makes me a better fit for Hardy than she is, but we’re not going to mention that or make this a competition because Maple is actually really sweet.

But just for my own personal record and satisfaction...ha, Maple, I can share a pizza with Hardy, and you can’t.

Okay, pettiness is over.

“Shame,” I say. “Because it’s good. The dipping sauce I’m still adjusting to.”

“Hang out with me some more and I’ll win you over.” He winks.

Boy, you have already won me over.

You won me over months ago.

After he swallows and takes a sip of his drink, he says, “So, tell me about your day.”

“Pretty sure you know about my day,” I say.

“Yeah, but you’re not eating dinner alone tonight, so act like I don’t know anything about what happened today.”

Well...that makes my heart nearly beat out of my chest as I look into his perfectly blue eyes. With comments like that, he’s making it next to impossible for me to even think about anyone else but him.

 

Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke narrate in duet this steamy, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. BRIDESMAID UNDERCOVER is now available on Audible!

https://adbl.co/4dmZaGC

 

ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

 

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

 

Bananapants, a second gen Kitting in the City by Penny Reid is now available!! Grab your copy today!

  ★★ NOW AVAILABLE! ★★
'Bananapants' by Penny Reid is LIVE and available on all platforms. Don't miss out on this bonkers romantic comedy.

★★ Read 'Bananapants' Now ★★

All Purchase Links: https://geni.us/BananapantsAll
Amazon Universal: https://geni.us/Bananapants
Penny Reid Shop: https://geni.us/BananapantsPRShop
AppleBooks: https://geni.us/BananapantsApple
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bananapants
Nook: https://geni.us/BananapantsNook
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=flD4EAAAQBAJ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/209318939-bananapants

★★ BLURB ★★
Estranged childhood friends unexpectedly reunite under bizarre circumstances and bicker their way to love in this bonkers romantic comedy.

Ava Archer misses her best childhood friend most especially during the month of April. Ask any tax attorney, it's a lonely, grueling time of year. Luckily, Ava has just received a surprising and delectably absurd offer from her posh doppelgänger at work. She must pretend to be the aforementioned posh co-worker for one night at an extremely fancy party; a party so fancy, there exists absolutely no chance anyone will recognize her or suspect her ruse. . .

Desmond (Des) Sullivan is a thief. And not the heart-of-gold kind. He’s the steal-from-the-rich-and-give-to-the-also-rich-so-he-can-get-paid kind. He does, however, have one firm rule: never steal what the target can’t afford to lose. After a brutal falling out with his father, Desmond hasn’t returned to Chicago in over ten years. But when a good friend is swindled and something priceless is stolen, Desmond must return home, both as himself and his thieving alter ego.
Infiltrate a dangerous secret society of the world's most elite billionaires while leveraging his estranged father’s resources and not blowing his cover? Sure. No problem. Or it wouldn’t be a problem if Ava Archer hadn’t just walked into the room, wearing a ridiculous wig, speaking with a preposterous accent, and pretending (badly) to be someone she’s not.

'Bananapants' is a full-length, contemporary romantic comedy filled with hijinks and shenanigans. It can be read as a standalone, but the parents of the main characters will be familiar to anyone who has read the Knitting in the City series.

 

 

My Review

 

Penny Reid's Knitting in the City was one of my all time favorite series. This novel returns to that world and Bananapants focuses on the "2nd generation" of characters: Specifically Janie/Quinn and Fiona/Greg’s children.

Although Ava and Desmond grew up together and were close friends, they haven't seen each other in nearly 10 years since Desmond left to deal with his own personal challenges. Desmond (aka Raziel) is a thief and is on a mission to get documents back from a high profile client without letting him in on what he's doing. The client believes that he's a colleague, and that cover is nearly exposed twice when Ava enters the picture. First, she attends an event posing as a colleague and Desmond exposes her. Then, she's invited to meet with a "new client" and shows up at Henri's office where she's surprised that he's the client (and that he's been sending her gifts), and Desmond is surprised as he's there to break into the building and get the files he needs.

The two end up with a some heated discussions about the lost time together, Ava's feelings of abandonment when Des left, his feelings of shame and parent conflict due to his mental health condition, and expectations that they have from each other now that they're back in each other's lives. Their past friendship turns to more, and is encouraged by their families and parents.

Penny Reid managed the mental health discussion well, and was able to accurately portray the challenges that someone with bipolar disorder experiences without over exaggerating or minimizing the condition. Since this is in the KITC world, you also get mentions and appearances by some of your favs beyond the parents (Alex/Sandra, Dan/Kat, among others).

While this is a stand-alone, I would recommend going back to the KITC series if you haven't already read it (or maybe do a re-read), as it describes the original characters, personalities, and shenanigans that frame some of the narratives here.