READ-2-REVIEW - ROM-COM - THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST by Melissa Foster

The Mr. Right Checklist
Melissa Foster
November 19th 2024

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Fake Dating, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

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A free-spirited proposal planner and a grumpy professor form a hilarious and unexpected situationship that just might lead to more in this steamy romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though it’s not in the stars for her yet—honestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?—she wants it for others. When Destiny’s first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, she’s ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own.

Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny get her business on track, if she’ll play the part of his adoring girlfriend at his brother’s wedding.

A professional situationship with her grumpy dog-grooming client? Destiny adores his pup, and she could put up with him to get her business off the ground. With any luck, she might even get that chip about love off his shoulder.

The book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . THE MR. RIGHT CHECKLIST . . .  A Perfectly Performed 4-Star Romantic Comedy!

Whenever you pick up a Melissa Foster book, you already know you are stepping into a beautifully crafted world filled with heart, humor, and undeniable heat. While The Mr. Right Checklist is an incredibly fun ride, it lands at a very solid 4 stars. It didn't quite reach the elite level of some of the other legendary stories she has created across her various interconnected universes, but it is still a delightful addition to her catalog!

The Grumpy Professor & The Free-Spirited Planner
Destiny Amor is a vibrant, free-spirited dog groomer and a budding marriage-proposal planner who believes fiercely in true love—even if her own massive "Mr. Right Checklist" keeps her single. When her very first proposal gig ends in an absolute disaster, she’s ready to throw in the towel.

Enter Ryan “Fletch” Fletcher, a grumpy, divorced-and-never-marrying-again professor who happens to be Destiny’s dog-grooming client. Fletch is desperate to get his matchmaking family off his back before his brother’s upcoming wedding. Recognizing a golden opportunity, he makes Destiny a deal: he will use his sharp organizational skills to help get her business back on track if she agrees to play the role of his adoring fake girlfriend. 

Watching Fletch navigate Destiny’s chaotic, love-filled world while trying to keep his own icy guard up is pure entertainment. Destiny adores his pup, and she is determined to chip away at the walls around Fletch’s heart to finally get this grumpy professor his much-deserved Happily Ever After.

Why It’s a Great, Steady Read:
Fletch’s Transformation: Seeing Fletch finally open up, let go of his past heartbreak, and claim his HEA is deeply satisfying.

Classic Grumpy/Sunshine Energy: Melissa Foster always nails the balance between a cynical hero and a heroine who refuses to let the world dull her shine. 

Audio Performance Review
The Narrators: Sebastian York & Savannah Peachwood 

Pure Audio Perfection! After dealing with the frustration of robotic virtual voices, listening to industry titans like Sebastian York and Savannah Peachwood is like a masterclass in audiobook luxury. They don't just read the words; they breathe absolute life into Destiny and Fletch.

Sebastian York brings that signature, deep, gravelly baritone that captures Fletch’s grumpy, professional facade perfectly, while making his hidden vulnerability completely melt your headphones. Savannah Peachwood matches him note-for-note, infusing Destiny with a bubbly, bright, and fiercely determined energy that never feels grating. Together, their flawless chemistry elevates the entire narrative, perfectly anchoring you into Melissa Foster's wonderful world.

My Final Verdict

The Mr. Right Checklist earns a strong 4 stars! While the plot itself might not rank as your absolute favorite among Melissa Foster's extensive library, the top-tier, sizzling narration by Sebastian York and Savannah Peachwood makes this an absolute must-listen. It is a sweet, steamy, and wonderfully comforting place to lay your head.

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READ-2-REVIEW - ROM-COM - THE VETERAN (Dalvegan Dragons, #2) by Xavier Neal

 The Veteran
Single Dad Grumpy Sunshine Hockey Romance 
Dalvegan Dragons, #2
by Xavier Neal

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What's good for the gosling is good for the gander...

At least according to the sunshine and snowflakes woman whose amnesia episode has her believing she's been assigned to be my daughter's new nanny.

And, of course, I can't really fire the fake hire because the last thing I need as the captain of my pro hockey team is to be trending for more drama.

I guess you could say this season won't be easy.

Especially for me, the veteran.

What to expect:

Grumpy/Sunshine

Single Dad/Nanny

Amnesia Romance

Plus-Size/Curvy Heroine

Possessive Alpha

Amazon 

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The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . THE VETERAN (Dalvegan Dragons, #2) . . . I love me some Igor and Joey. Amnesia in a different context for me was interesting and alluring. I found it to be informative and heartbreaking at the same time. It really broke my heart toward the end when there was not contact with Joey. Only one person could find her and help her out of the episode she was in. 

I love this one. I think you do need to read The Owner to have a better understand of why the team is where it is now and the healthy fear of Harlow/Hennington/Hot Rocket. 

Bella stole the hospital scene. Igor and Joey were backdrops for Bella's attachment to a lady she just meet. Was it the yellow Belle ballgown or Joey's curly hair? Bella know what she wanted and was not above a little manipulation to get it. Joey may have lost a portion of time, but she knew her stuff when it came to children. 

For more about Xavier Neal and her books:

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READ-2-REVIEW - ROM-COM - THE GRUMP AND THE CHEFF (Grumpy Hot Mountain Men) by Wendy Ashford

The Grump and the Chef

Grumpy Hot Mountain Men

by Wendy Ashford

Published: December 13th 2023

Cover Design: @robertazeta @robertazeta.illustration

Genre: Spicy Rom-Com

Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, small town, snowed in

There are bad days, and there are unbelievably bad days.

When Olivia woke up, she thought it would be one of those perfect days that put a smile on her face. She had a stable boyfriend, a job that paid the bills, a terrific colleague and best friend, and no clouds looming over her perfect morning.

But that same morning, Olivia got fired. It was a bad day.

And she was dumped by her boyfriend. It was an unbelievably bad day.

She needed to think, regroup, and come up with a plan to fix the mess. What better place to get a grip on her life than the Olympic Peninsula, where she spent her childhood summers?

There, that was the plan. She would be on her feet in no time. At least, she thought she would be until she realized she was stuck in a cabin, under six feet of snow, with a grumpy, sexy mountain man.

A cabin that didn’t have a TV, Internet, or a functioning phone. Well, looking at the bright side, she had zero distractions to come up with her master plan.

She only had to avoid staring at Noah’s biceps, threatening to rip the t-shirt, or how his sweatpants hugged his toned backside.

The Grump and the Chef is an easy, short, spicy rom-com featuring a bubbly, cheerful chef, a grumpy, sexy handyman, and a rooster with a soft spot for blond curvy guests.

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . THE GRUMP AND THE CHEF (Grumpy Hot Mountain Men) . . . Olivia had a really bad day. This had me in her corner from that point. I enjoy the quirk and fun of the story. I enjoyed the flow of it as well. 

Opposites, Noah and Olivia find that they are in a space together, for an undetermined time frame. The craziest thing that ensued was fun to follow. This was a quick read that brought a smile and distraction. 

I could have used more details and a little more about Noah.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:

Wonderful characters Funny Witty Easy-to-read So wrong but right

Wendy Ashford loves to write spicy small-town romance novels that end with a Happily Ever After. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, dog, and cat. She loves the beach during winter and walking in the snow.

She likes to read, play with Legos, and watch romantic comedies on Netflix when not writing.

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READ-2-REVIEW - ROM-COM - FREE-SPIRIT (The Free, #2) by Xavier Neal

 Free Spirit
A Free-Form Novella
The Free, #2
A Romantic Comedy
by Xavier Neal

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AMAZON 
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From USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Xavier Neal comes a laugh-out-loud, summer holiday romantic comedy novella!

Tucker Frost is a sweet and thoughtful husband who just wants a fun family vacation away from their very busy lives.

And June Frost?

Well, she's his optimistic and overly organized wife who just so happens to be holding onto a secret.

But not on purpose.

Will this small-town getaway lead to more love and laughter between this art-loving couple or will it simply create more headaches and arguments for the world-traveling pair? 

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Review of . . . FREE-SPIRIT (The Free, #2) . . . June and Tucker have had many adventures over the years. Now, June has a secret and Tucker has one also. June just keeps missing the opportunity to share with Tucker. Tucker has been very busy with their son. Now. Right now he wants and adventure that does not involve his wife and his son. He takes on an opportunity without telling his wife or even discussing it with her. He does something that is a pitfall in many relationships. There was a lot to catchup on with where life for June and Tucker was now and heading to next. Their catch-ups on lives involving second hand characters for this story. And for those that had their one story in other Xavier Neal books.

This was a short look at a fun couple that loved adventure. It was a good addition to June and Tucker's life. Some times life is real and not always fun. 

Author Info

Xavier Neal is a best-selling romance author who enjoys hopping from sub-genre to sub-genre like a game of Hopscotch she can't resist.

In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self-improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy's t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible).

She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband "Lumberjack”.

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