This New Adult book got an A- from us. (You can read our review here.) We wrote:

There aren’t very many New Adult books that captivate me. I like them well enough, but they don’t usually make it to my favorites list. However, the work of author Jessica Sorensen has shown me a different kind of New Adult, stories of hope and redemption, rather than constant angst. For this reason, I was eager to listen to Breaking Nova.

Nova Reed is home from her first year of college. One day blends into the next, but that’s how it’s been for the past year. Nova’s life hasn’t been the same since her high school boyfriend committed suicide and Nova found his body. Now, she lives in a kind of haze. She wants answers, but doesn’t know how to get them. Should she cling to the past, or should she move forward? She doesn’t know, and she isn’t doing well with the uncertainty.

Quinton Carter is no stranger to tragedy. He feels responsible for the deaths of his cousin and girlfriend. After all, he was driving the car that killed them. His father has kicked him out and Quinton is living with his cousin, not doing much of anything but waiting for his life to end.

When Nova and Quinton meet, both are deeply affected. Quinton is able to make Nova feel safe, something she hasn’t felt in a long time. Nova makes Quinton feel alive and he’s not sure he wants that. Does a murderer really deserve a chance at happiness?

If that sounds like your jam, you can get it here for 1.99.

Amy Jarecki has the Scottish Highlands love story down. The Highland Commander one will please historical romance and Outlander fans. We gave it a B+. (Our review is here.) We wrote:

The Highland Commander throws its protagonists deep into the rising tensions between England and Scotland during the reign of the last Stuart monarch. Loyalties are constantly questioned and all it takes is a whispered accusation of treason for a life to be ruined. Maddie’s sheltered life in Stonehaven insulated her from so many of the prejudices she faces in London that she’s overwhelmed by the games people play in the name of power. Even her father tries to manipulate Maddie into spying on Queen Anne when she remains in London as a court musician. Maddie has no desire to get involved in the cause and it pains her that everyone who becomes her friend seems ready to stab her in the back because of her nationality. Aiden has seen the prejudices first hand as the Scottish navy has integrated with the English, and through it he’s felt the pull towards the Jacobite cause. His political leanings fly in the face of his father’s pro-government stance, so when Aiden becomes heir-apparent to the Duke of Atholl, he has to decide if his individual beliefs are worth jeopardizing the family’s position with the Queen.

It would be easy to get mired in all of the history unfolding around Maddie and Aiden but their romance is a pleasant diversion from the ugliness of the times. After their meeting at the masquerade they are smitten with each other and their reunion in London cements their feelings, though neither one will admit just how far they’ve fallen in love. Since they are both virgins Aiden and Maddie discover the joys of sexual expression together and it binds them in a way that no prince, queen or county can tear apart. The only hiccup in their romance comes at the very end of the book when Maddie reaches an emotional breaking point and questions her impact on Aiden’s life. Her choices at that moment put everything they’ve sacrificed and fought for in jeopardy and it’s seems out of character for the strong, passionate woman she is. Aiden’s patience and love for Maddie saves her from making a terrible mistake and his final show of loyalty to her above all is a beautiful moment that caps his journey into becoming an honorable man away from the influence of his father.

With a cast of characters straight out of the history books, The Highland Commander doesn’t shy away from using the ongoing political chess game of the time to heighten the threats against Maddie and Aiden’s future together. Readers should be prepared to lose their hearts to a brave couple who go through hell and back to secure a love that can withstand any risk.

It’s on sale here for 1.99.

Sabrina Jeffries is a favorite of many–we haven’t reviewed Undercover Duke, but Amazon readers give it 4.4 stars. Here’s the blurb:

Along with his step siblings, Sheridan Wolfe, Duke of Armitage, is determined to finally solve the mysteries behind the suspicious deaths of their mother’s three husbands. Tasked with investigating a possible suspect, Sheridan finds himself in dangerous proximity to her captivating daughter, Vanessa Pryde. But still haunted by a tragically lost love, the duke is resolved to resist the attraction—and avoid any “scheming” husband-hunters. Besides, lovely Miss Pryde seems utterly smitten with a roguish London playwright . . .

Vanessa thinks a little scheming may be in order—for it’s Sheridan she truly has her sights, and her heart, set on. Her theatrical flirtation is intended only to break through his business-like demeanor and guarded emotions. And as Sheridan’s jealousy becomes aroused, the two soon find themselves propelled into a scheme of an altogether different kind, involving a pretend engagement, a secret inquiry—and a perhaps not-so-secret leap into true love . . .

You can get it here for 2.99.

Sarah Morgan’s blend of romance, redemption, and joy is front and center in her Snowed in for Christmas. We gave it a B+ (our review is here) and wrote:

Snowed In for Christmas will be counted among my favorite holiday Hallmark-style comfort reads this year. It’s a sweet story about a family coming together and mending fences, with a great ensemble cast and varied plotlines.

The story centers around the Miller family – a picture-perfect (literally, they’ve been photographed for magazines) Scottish family who have been known for their shortbread company for generations. Parents Douglas and Glenda Miller are in their sixties now, and approaching the point of retirement and, in theory, world travel, although Douglas can’t seem to let go of the business. Part of that is because his only son, Ross, chose to found a successful athletics company rather than following Douglas into the family business, and he’s not sure what to do with it now, as neither of the other two Miller children, Alice and Clemmie, have any real interest in taking it on. Alice is a successful doctor in London and is struggling with anxiety about the future with her current boyfriend, who is ready to marry her. And Clemmie is a nanny who, after years spent waiting for her childhood love to return her affections, has decided to move home and have a child on her own. As Christmas comes around, it seems only Nanna Jean isn’t struggling with some major problem or self-doubt – not that any of the Millers will acknowledge what concerns they have on their minds. They’re all perfectly stiff and polite with each other, as Glenda frets about how to return to the family’s old closeness.

And then, on a quiet afternoon close to Christmas, Lucy Clarke arrives on the scene. Visiting from London, she comes to the Miller household to present an advertising proposal to Ross and ends up staying with them through a series of miscommunications and accidents of nature (including the titular snow). As they deal with Lucy and the white lies which led to those miscommunications, a number of secrets start spilling out. Clemmie announces her plans to have a child, Alice confesses how badly she has hurt her boyfriend by rejecting his first marriage proposal, and Ross finally has a reckoning with his father about their differing business interests. And poor Lucy, who is alone in the world after losing her grandmother, finds herself taken in and comforted by a loving family – and enticed into a romance with Ross.

It’s 1.99 at Amazon today. You can purchase it here.

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