Books by Katydid

 A Bright New Beginning A Bright Harbor Novel Written by: Holly Stevenson It was so fun returning to the Bright Harbor universe with A Bright New Beginning. The characters all came back and we were able to get to know them better. This story focused on the love story of Charly and Nick while intermingling the perspectives of the other characters all throughout.  I love how Holly Stevenson balances out the secondary love stories and relationships with the main ones. As Charly thinks there is no hope for a relationship with Nick, she tries to move on. However, when she finds there is a possibility, she is respectful of the relationship she is currently in. I do want to see Charly's old boyfriend find his happily ever after. Holly does such a good job of making you relate to the characters and become interested in all of the secondary characters and their future happily ever afters.  The whole setting of Bright Harbor is dream-worthy. The ocean nearby with beautiful beaches ...

 Stranded at the Sandbar Kailua Marines: Book 3 Written by: Jess Mastorakos This sweet Hawaiian romance was a fun read as Tyler and Kate get their second-chance for a happily ever after. This story does answer the question of who would you want to be stranded on a desert island with. While this castaway story doesn't have the extremes of the Tom Hanks version, it does have a romance that is deepened by all these two go through.  I loved how Jess Mastorakos was able to Tyler and Kate both grow and show character development despite this story taking place in a short time period. Kate is able to see what she deserves and move beyond her past. Tyler is able to move past his own insecurities. Mastorakos does this without the drama that accompanies many chick flicks. It was satisfying in a refreshing way. 

 Cowboy's Second Chance with the Nanny Racing Hearts and Horses: Book 6 Written by: Audree Snow This final installment in the Racing Hearts and Horses brings it to an adequate conclusion. They are able to have their happily ever after but the process they took to get there is frustrating. Normally I love almost any clean romance story, however this series didn't satisfy that niche for me. Both Beaumont and Sunday acted in such contrary ways to how they were feeling. It made me feel like their whole relationship was going to have a volatile future.  If you love romantic drama than this series may be one for you. 

 The Horsepower of the Holiday Christmas at Shiloh Ridge Ranch Written by: Liz Isaacson This story set in the Shiloh Ridge Ranch universe is another fun, romantic Christmas story. Almost every story in this universe has been a light, enjoyable read- and this one is no exception. Ranger and Oakley find themselves falling quickly in love but they have secrets that could come between them.  A few things I love about this story is how much Ranger is dedicated to finding the one person he wants to be with and he won't let anything stand in his way. When Oakley wants to date multiple men at once, Ranger says no thank you. He is no doormat and Oakley comes to realize how much having that one person to call your own makes a difference. While Ranger does make some mistakes along the way- every relationship has some ups and downs. These two fit so well together and the journey to their happily ever after was such an enjoyable one to read. 

 Cowboy's Second with the Nanny Racing Hearts and Horses: Book 5 Written by: Audree Snow This is another frustrating installment in the Racing Hearts and Horses series. Sunday lets herself get into a relationship with someone who ends up being toxic and controlling while Beaumont is finally starting to understand and get his act together. The characters have strong flaws and I hope we see them figure things out in the next installment.  Content warning: potentially abusive boyfriend

About the book:   After a family tragedy, aspiring ballerina Amaliya Marcell is adrift. When she is forced to leave behind everything she knows, the lost young woman struggles to build a new life in an unfamiliar city. But when she meets a handsome world-class figure skater, she finds a glimmer of hope. After his sister’s unexpected retirement from figure skating, Tyler Linden is devastated to give up his shot at the US national championships. His only hope is to find a new partner, a task that proves nearly impossible—until he observes a beautiful young woman at the local ice rink. Struck by her grace and poise, Tyler takes an unthinkable risk and asks Amaliya to become his new partner. To both of their surprise, she agrees. The path to the championship won’t be easy, but Amaliya and Tyler quickly establish a solid partnership and a profound connection—both on and off the ice. However, competition at the championships is fierce, and when the time comes, they will be forced to put ...

  Silent Partner A Pine Falls Novel Written by: Jennifer Peel Jennifer Peel's novels always hit me right in the feels. This story is all about Kinsley and I relate to her so well. She has such strong feelings of inadequacy that color all of her interactions with everyone and everything. She is such a strong character but she can't see it. She has such great character development as she discovers the strengths she holds and finds her way to forgive those who have hurt her.  This book, just like with three previous stories have such intense moments. Kinsley goes through so much and Brant's troubles don't help any. It is incredible how Jennifer Peel handles all that happens in this story and wraps everything up in this series in such a beautiful way. This story does require you to read the first two in order to understand everything going on in the background. While nothing happens to Kinsley- Brandt is right in the middle of it all. It is important back story to have. 

  Ace High Lost Creek Rodeo Written by: Heather B. Moore, Rebecca Connolly, and Sophia Summers Once again three of my favorite authors have come together and written a great finale to a fantastic sports series. Ace High takes a beloved character from the rest of the series- Kellie Prosper and shows her getting her happily ever after with a stand-up guy. I love how in this story the characters have their baggage they are dealing with but they are good people to the soul. Their baggage isn't their fault and we get to see them overcome their pasts and the things out of their control while their relationship develops and they take things at their own pace.  This was such a fun read. While there are only a few repeat characters from the previous books in the series- you know that all are doing well and things are looking up for the six cowboys who find their true loves. 

 Once Upon a Royal Summer Written by: Teri Wilson This Hallmark romance is definitely a sweet romantic story that could be transferred to the big screen. It has all the unrealistic moments of romance that comes from a Hallmark story which is what makes this true to form. The theme-park princess is such a good-hearted soul and the real-life prince is a charming, handsome fellow. The only thing missing was a villain and that could almost be fulfilled by the queen who is just looking out for the best of her people and her family.  I enjoyed the cheesiness this story has to offer. The light-hearted story with a commoner finding love in unusual circumstances and having the best of personalities made it all a great, light read. 

 Cowboy's Second Chance with the Nanny Racing Hearts and Horses: Book 4 Written by: Audree Snow The fourth installment of Cowboy's Second Chance with the Nanny is full of drama and heartbreak. Both Sunday and Beaumont have their things to work through and Audree Snow does well at showcasing all of their issues as they both make mistakes and hurt each other. This story is left with no hope at the end as both characters have their pride. There is two more installments so I know there is good left to come. 

 The Construction of Cheer Christmas at Shiloh Ridge Ranch Written by: Liz Isaacson This may be one of my favorites of the Christmas at Shiloh Ridge Ranch stories. Montana and Bishop work so well together and while they do have misunderstandings- none of them are overwhelmingly misunderstood or frustrating! There is a lot of back and forth between different family members and so it would be intriguing to see this whole series put into a big box set where the different scenes are lined up so that they happen in timeline order rather than book order. 

 Her Silver Cowboy A Prairie Valley Romance Written by: Ellen Joy Her Silver Cowboy is the final installment in the Prairie Valley romance as the matriarch of the Beaudreau family receives her second happily ever after. Maggie thought her chance for love was gone with the death of her husband, John. As Brooks comes into her life- the romance comes back and sparks fly. Ellen Joy creates a good balance of keeping the romance and intrigue high without making Maggie and Brooks seem younger than they actually are. Their families come in with a good balance of not being ready for their mom and dad to move on while still trying to support them in finding happiness. 

  The Secret of Santa Claus Christmas at Shiloh Ridge Ranch Written by: Liz Isaacson Caveat- this story is one of many stories within the Shiloh Ridge Ranch family. I recommend reading them in order to get the full experience as the perspective goes back and forth between not just the main characters but also other family members. The Secret of Santa Claus is definitely more focused on Christmas than the rest of the Shiloh Ridge Ranch series has been- most of it takes place within the ramp-up to the Christmas season. I enjoyed reading about the unique idea of a Santa Claus passed through the generations whose identity is secret in addition to this particular one being female. I did get frustrated with some of the situations that Holly Ann gets herself in with poor planning or planning ahead to have to break dates/ cancel last minute. I am impressed with how dedicated the Grover brothers and cousins are in maintaining that there is one girl for them and they are willing to go the di...

 Cowboy's Second Chance with the Nanny Racing Hearts and Horses: Book 3 Written by: Audree Snow This third book had me banging my head against a wall as Beaumont won't open up to tell Sunday anything!!! This would solve so much with helping their relationship/lack of one. It is so frustrating to see their problems happening because of this. This series is definitely one I would recommend waiting until they all come out before you read them because of how dumb the characters can be. I can't blame Beaumont too much because he has a lot going on in his life but man... someone just needs to knock some sense into him. 

  An Unlikely Pair Written by: Traci Hunter Abramson Oh my goodness! At first I was a little hesitant with this story because it is different than Traci Abramson's usual action/adventure/suspense but I couldn't be more thrilled with how good it is. This story is all romance and Traci Abramson does something right when writing. It doesn't matter if it is romance or suspense- based on the sports world or something completely different. She completely nails it.  The only thing I wish was different on this story was I would love an epilogue to see how Amaliya and Tyler end up. Do they make it to the olympics? Do they win? Does their relationship make it past the ups and downs that come with everything? This may all be address in future books as this is book one in the series. Everything else in this story was amazing. I couldn't put it down.  This story is definitely swoon-worthy. I stayed up late reading it because I couldn't wait to see what happened. It is definitely...

 The Networking of the Nativity  Christmas at Shiloh Ridge Ranch Written by: Liz Isaacson This book hit home for me in a few ways- the biggest one is that I can feel myself being lost in motherhood and that is June's biggest hang-up throughout the whole story. It is heartbreaking to me how much Judge and June go through because of her difficulties in finding balance in her life. Liz Isaacson made all of this real in this story. While all of the couples at Shiloh Ridge Ranch go through their own difficulties- quite a few pretty heartbreaking, this one I had the hardest time with. It is well written- just very hard to read. 

  Cowboy's Second Chance with the Nanny Racing Hearts and Horses: Book 2 Written by: Audree Snow This second installment in the Cowboy's Second Chance with the Nanny continues the story with more romantic suspense. Beaumont and Sunday are both starting to have feelings but everything about their lives is pulling them apart. I am definitely intrigued as to how things will work out but at the same time I feel like a lot was shoved into this section of the book that could have used some more fleshing out.