Review: Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
Series: Oaks Sisters, Book 1
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780063416161
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

Millie was never one to take the expected path. She's an entomologist who loves her job as a natural science curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to take a larger role in the planning of her department, so when a director position opens up, she is determined not to let anything distract her from her goals. Especially her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and nerdy astronomy ties.

. . . Not that she’s spent much time noticing any of those things.

Finn doesn’t mean to glare at everyone, but he’s juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can't afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn't need anything more on his plate. Millie literally stumbling into him with her bright smile and sunny optimism, is the last thing he needs.

They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it's one thing when a job is on the line. It's quite another when it's her heart.

Give Me Butterflies is an absolutely charming romance. Millie and Finn are sweet, smart, and absolutely made for other which makes it easy to root for their happily ever after.

Millie was once mentally battered down by an abusive boyfriend but now she’s standing strong and isn’t letting anyone mess with her sunny disposition. She’s a successful entomologist and is up for a director position at her museum – her dream job. But on the day of her first interview, she runs into the head of the astronomy department and things do not go well. Finn is grumpy, glowering, and her total opposite…or so she thinks. Finn may seem like a thundercloud at first, but actually he’s just a guy going through a really difficult time. He lost his sister and is now guardian to his nieces, who he loves with all his heart but is afraid of falling short as their new parent.

Jillian Meadows makes it easy to adore Millie, Finn, and the twins, Eloise and Avery. All of them are kind and loving people doing their best. The girls are absolutely sweet as can be and I loved how quickly Millie established a relationship with them separate from hers with Finn. For all that Give Me Butterflies deals with some heavy themes, Meadows makes the book feel light and airy. It’s a low-drama romance as Millie and Finn go from friends to lovers and sometimes you just need a solid love story without false drama in the third act. There’s tension, of course, but Meadows keeps things mostly organic as the story goes on.

Give Me Butterflies is the first book in the Oaks Sisters series and I cannot wait to see more of Millie’s family. I loved the Oaks and Millie’s friends, enjoyed how they welcomed Finn and the girls into their circle with open arms and hearts. All in all, Finn and Millie’s romance was a delight and I am very much looking forward to the next Oaks Sisters tale.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Fan Service by Rosie Danan

Fan Service by Rosie Danan
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Paranormal Romance 

ISBN: 9780593437162
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

The only place small-town outcast Alex Lawson fits in is the online fan forum she built for The Arcane Files, a long-running werewolf detective show. Her dedication to archiving fictional supernatural lore made her Internet-famous, even if she harbors a secret disdain for the show’s star, Devin Ashwood. (Never meet your heroes—sometimes they turn out to be The Worst.)

Ever since his show went off the air, Devin and his career have spiraled, but waking up naked in the woods outside his LA home with no memory of the night before is a new low. It must have been a coincidence that the once-in-a-century Wolf Blood Moon crested last night. The claws, fangs, and howling are a little more difficult to explain away. Desperate for answers, Devin finds Alex—the closest thing to an expert that exists. If only he could convince her to stop hating his guts long enough to help....

Devin Ashwood was a former child star turned heartthrob on his long-running supernatural show. Now he’s forty-two, washed up, and desperate to try and get the show rebooted. His life isn’t going his way…then he finds out he may have been turned into a werewolf. What’s a wolfman to do? The only thing he can do in this wild situation: track down the moderator of the most extensive fan forum The Arcane Files had and seek their guidance. Alex Lawson had her childhood crush on Devin quashed when she met him as a teenager. The fact that he shows up in her hometown wanting her help is laughable. Until truth turns out to be stranger than fiction. Now they need to use her knowledge to help Devin learn to control his wolf. But Devin isn’t the only one with lessons to learn…

Fan Service is a love letter to fandoms wrapped up in a chaotic (in a good way) romance. I admit, I had mixed feelings about this book in the beginning but Rosie Danan pulled me in over the course of the story and I was loving it by the end.

Devin is kind of insufferable at first. He’s desperate to revive his career but he’s also just plain shallow. Alex is prickly and stand-offish which makes sense given how she’s still bullied in her town even as an adult. The first half of Fan Service was a bit slow for me because the characters and even their wacky situation didn’t really draw me in (unusual for me with Danan’s writing). That being said, the story seriously picked up at the halfway point and I fell in love with Alex and Devin. Yes, Devin is desperate and wants to be loved but as he starts becoming more human (ironic given his situation) he becomes an endearing hero who is messy and more complex than he seems at first. There are parts of his story that simply broke my heart. Alex pushes people away but Devin barrels through her walls and I loved seeing her come into her own. She’s strong, smart, and cares so much that it was delightful to see her find someone she could learn to lean on as well.

Devin’s journey into controlling his werewolf side was highly entertaining. I loved that Alex was able to use her vast knowledge of the Arcane Files fandom to help him. Equally engaging was the romance. Once things picked up between Devin and Alex, Danan turned up the heat in delicious ways. The result was a sensual, sweet, and fun romance. So while I struggled with Fan Service in the first half, I still enjoyed the second half so much that I recommend the book.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb

Bonded in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, Book 60
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Futuristic/Mystery/Suspense 

ISBN: 9781250370792
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
J.D. Robb Reading Order

His passport read Giovanni Rossi. But decades ago, during the Urban Wars, he was part of a small, secret organization called The Twelve. Responding to an urgent summons from an old compatriot, he landed in New York and eased into the waiting car. And died within minutes…

Lieutenant Eve Dallas finds the Rossi case frustrating. She’s got an elderly victim who’d just arrived from Rome; a widow who knows nothing about why he’d left; an as-yet unidentifiable weapon; and zero results on facial recognition. But when she finds a connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, she thinks Summerset—fiercely loyal, if somewhat grouchy, major-domo and the man who’d rescued her husband from the Dublin streets—may know something from his stint as a medic in Europe back then.

When Summerset learns of the crime, his shock and grief are clear—because, as he eventually reveals, he himself was one of The Twelve. It’s not a part of his past he likes to revisit. But now he must—not only to assist Eve’s investigation, but because a cryptic message from the killer has boasted that others of The Twelve have also died. Summerset is one of those who remain—and the murderous mission is yet to be fully accomplished…

When an unassuming visitor from Rome is killed in New York shortly after arrival, Lieutenant Eve Dallas is baffled. Furthering her confusion is why her card was left with the body. She never met Giovanni Rossi, nor is his killer’s motive readily apparent. Looking into the victim and the mysterious group called “The Twelve” that has some connection to the Urban Wars of the 2020s, Eve discovers why the killer chose her. Summerset, Eve’s pain in the neck of a majordomo and member of her family (whether either wants to admit it or not), was once one of the Twelve…and he’s now a target.

Bonded in Death takes Eve, Roarke, and company through a journey of the past and I was totally here for it. The Urban Wars have been referenced throughout the series but the events are more central to this story than most others. Summerset was more than a medic in the Urbans and we get to learn of his past, and that of the other members of the Twelve. I loved learning more about Summerset’s past, enjoyed meeting the friends of his who were all a part in fighting for peace. I won’t say too much for fear of spoiling things, but I really liked meeting the remaining members of the Twelve and learning about them and their shared history. It was also nice to shine a light more on Summerset, a character who has been important but in the background for much of the series.

J.D. Robb has a way of drawing me in from the start and not letting go and the latest In Death adventure was no exception. I enjoyed watching Eve and her team work to put together a picture of the person they were hunting while having to protect a group of ex-spies who may be retired but whose skills are still sharp. Robb balanced mystery, suspense, and entertainment extremely well and I hated it whenever I had to put this book down. I recommend at least being familiar with the In Death series before diving into Bonded in Death, but if you know the main cast I think you can safely jump in here. Any time spent with Eve and Roarke is enjoyable and this latest outing should delight fans of the In Death books.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis

Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis
Series: Sunrise Cove, Book 7
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance 

ISBN: 9780063353381
Release Date: January 21, 2025
Source: Author
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
Jill Shalvis Reading Order

When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

Ever since one fateful night over a decade ago, Olive and Noah have avoided each other. Now the two are back in Sunrise Cove to help Noah’s sister, who also happens to be Olive’s best friend. Neither wants to address the past or the spark between them that has never died. But the longer they’re around each other, the harder it is to deny that they’re simply meant to be.

Better Than Friends has all the hallmarks of a Jill Shalvis romance. There’s a smart, stunning heroine who gets into some awkward situations, a handsome, steady hero, a cast of nosy but caring supporting characters, and an adorable animal or two. The result? A cute and light read.

Olive has tried to turn herself into someone who has it all together, but when she comes home to Sunrise Cove to help her best friend after Katie’s husband is hurt on the job, old insecurities and wounds rise to the surface. Olive doesn’t like to rely on people and she needs to learn to lean on others. Noah’s life changed after the accident that ended his future in baseball, but it was Olive leaving town and the strained relationship with his father that really hurt him. Now Noah doesn’t want to put down roots, no matter how much his mother tries to set up him with different women.

Noah and Olive are a good match and they have an easy chemistry that’s typical of a Shalvis romance. Of course, everyone around them is working to push them together which was cute. That being said, for some reason Better Than Friends dragged for me. It took a while for things to get moving, which is unusual for Shalvis. The central conflict keeping Noah and Olive apart really wasn’t strong enough to justify an entire novel and I felt like it would have been better suited to a shorter format. The tension didn’t feel earned and it seemed like Olive and Noah kept going in circles for no particular reason other than to stretch a thinnish plot. That being said, I liked the characters and the story wrapped up in an ending that was sweet and satisfying.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Review: Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley

Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Time Travel Romance 

ISBN: 9780063412323
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a modern single man in possession of a hockey jersey may be exactly what a Regency woman needs to avoid the shackles of marriage... Goalie for the Austin Regals, Tucker Taylor is benched due to health issues. So he decides to visit his sister in England. But an accidental plunge into an icy pond thrusts him back to 1812 where he comes face to face with a captivating blue-eyed woman who regards him as if he’s grown two heads.

Lizzy Wooddash dreams of a life surrounded by books, engaging conversation, the presence of literary icons like Jane Austen, and... nary a husband in sight. But in Regency England, only widows like her cousin Georgie enjoy freedom and solitary pursuits, unencumbered by expectations. The only way to quickly become a widow is by marrying a dying man or killing a perfectly healthy one, neither of which Lizzy desires.

A visitor from the future might just be the husband of her dreams. Once married, they can figure out how to return Tucker to his proper time, and his absence—aka death—will make Lizzy the widow she always dreamed of becoming. Yet as sparks ignite, they soon realize that matters of the heart rarely adhere to carefully laid plans. Can their love stand the test of time, or will Lizzy get exactly what she wanted...as well as a broken heart?

It is a truth acknowledged within my own circle that if you put a Jane Austen reference in a book title or summary that I am likely to pick said book up. I’m also a fan of hockey, so between Puck and Prejudice featuring a time-traveling hockey player and Lia Riley creating a heroine who is pals with Jane Austen, there was little doubt that this would land itself in my reading pile.

Lizzy Wooddash dreams of freedom, of writing, and of not being bound by her family’s desires for her. Which is why when a confused man in strange garb shows up, lost, confused, and in need of help, the perfect solution to all of Lizzy’s problems lies with him. After battling cancer, Tucker Taylor has been benched from the Austin Regals until his doctor clears him to play. While visiting his sister in England, Tucker gets in a car accident and finds himself in 1812. What’s a man who couldn’t tell Austin from Brontë to do? Accept the help of a trio of women who not only believe him, but are determined to assist him to find a way back. In return, Tucker is all-too-happy to marry Lizzy so that she can be “widowed” to gain freedom when he finds his way home. It’s the perfect plan, except neither Lizzy nor Tucker expect to fall for each other.

Puck and Prejudice starts off slow but finds its footing as Lizzy and Tucker begin to fall in love. The story is cute and while you may have to suspend more disbelief than usual for this book, it’s entertaining enough. I liked the characters and the romance was sweet, with Lizzy and Tucker fitting each other well. That being said, the time travel bits were not as well thought-out as they could have been. I finished the book with more questions than I would have liked and there were some plot holes that left me a bit annoyed. And while I liked it when things started moving for the romance, it did feel a bit shallow.

If you’re a Janeite, there are plenty of references to Austen’s work that don’t really play a role but are cute nonetheless. If you’re not familiar with Austen’s work, missing out on those elements won’t detract from the story as it’s all very shallow and fleeting (including Jane’s presence). Overall, this was an OK story. It was entertaining enough to pass the time with and there was nothing wrong with it, but it didn’t grab my attention the way I would have liked.



FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Best Books of 2024

2025 is here and I'm so excited by all the possibilities this new year will bring. But before I dive into a year of wonderful new reads and re-reads, it's time to look back at my 2024 year in books. In 2024 I read 75 books, including a few re-reads that I fell in love with all over again. I tried 19 debut or new-to-me authors and discovered some wonderful authors whose backlists I cannot wait to dive into. And finally, I participated in my fifteenth A to Z Reading Challenge, a fun challenge that usually leads me to at least a couple of books I might not have moved to the top of my TBR pile otherwise.

I'm doing things a bit differently this year and am splitting my top reads of 2024 into two categories: Best Books of 2024 (Published in 2024) and Best Books of 2024 (Published in years prior). All of the books on this list were first-time reads because otherwise Jane Austen would just have a permanent spot on my year-end list. The books are alphabetized by author, otherwise I'd be here until 2026 trying to determine the order to put them in.

Best Books of 2024 (Published in 2024)

1. Last Call at the Local (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships, Book 3) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Review
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2. Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Review
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Best Books of 2024 (Published in years prior)

1. The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal by KJ Charles
Genre: Historical Paranormal Mystery/Romance
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2. Delilah Green Doesn't Care (Bright Falls, Book 1) by Ashley Herring Blake
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Books I've Read in 2025

For the past fifteen(!) years I've kept track of the books I read and it's been quite a fun project. I read so much that everything tends to blend together in my mental library and it's fun to look back and see what I've I've read, loved, and want to re-read (and - on the rare occasion - want to avoid). Plus, it's great to share and compare lists with other book bloggers.

This list is only of books and novellas I've read and finished (though if I read an entire anthology, I list only the anthology title). The books are listed in the order I read them and if I write a review for a book I link it here as well.

There are sure to be many wonderful stories on the list, but the ones with a ** by them are ones I highly recommend.

1. Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley
2. Aunt Dimity’s Death (Aunt Dimity Mystery, Book 1) by Nancy Atherton
3. Bonded in Death (In Death, Book 60) by J.D. Robb
4. Better Than Friends (Sunrise Cove, Book 7) by Jill Shalvis
5. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
6. A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, Book 3) by Dianne Freeman
7. Fan Service by Rosie Danan
8. Fourth Wing (The Empyrean, Book 1) by Rebecca Yarros **
9. Iris Kelly Doesn't Date (Bright Falls, Book 3) by Ashley Herring Blake
10. A Fiancée's Guide to First Wives and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, Book 4) by Dianne Freeman
11. Give Me Butterflies (Oaks Sisters, Book 1) by Jillian Meadows
12. A Bride’s Guide to Marriage and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, Book 5) by Dianne Freeman
13. A Newlywed’s Guide to Fortune and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, Book 6) by Dianne Freeman
14. Hardly a Gentleman (Accidental Brides, Book 2) by Eloisa James
15. Archangel’s Ascension (Guild Hunter, Book 17) by Nalini Singh **
16. Don’t Look Back by Josh Lanyon (re-read) **
17. Dream On, Ramona Riley (Clover Lake, Book 1) by Ashley Herring Blake **
18. Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts
19. Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady
20. The Love Fix (Sunrise Cove, Book 8) by Jill Shalvis
21. Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice by Cynthia Timoti
22. Atonement Sky (Psy-Changeling Trinity, Book 9) by Nalini Singh
23. Walking Your Octopus: A Guidebook to the Domesticated Cephalopod (Domesticated Cephalopods) by Brian Kesinger
24. Rapunzel by Leila Bryce Sin
25. An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, Book 7) by Dianne Freeman
26. He Falls First (Colburn Brothers, Book 1) by Jill Shalvis
27. Gwyneth: The Biography by Amy Odell
28. A Silence in Belgrave Square (Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 8) by Jennifer Ashley
29. Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
30. Framed in Death (In Death, Book 61) by J.D. Robb
31. Ghost Business (Boneyard Key, Book 2) by Jen DeLuca
32. The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell **
33. To Kill a Badger (The Honey Badger Chronicles, Book 6) by Shelly Laurenston
34. George and Frances Roll the Dice (Countess of Harleigh Mystery, Book 7.5) by Dianne Freeman
35. Hollow (A Gothic Shade of Romance, Book 1) by Karina Halle **
36. I Hate Running and You Can Too: How to Get Started, Keep Going, and Make Sense of an Irrational Passion by Brendan Leonard
37. Paris: The Memoir (Extended Edition) by Paris Hilton
38. Zane (The Bad Boys of Saddle Creek, Book 1) by Kat Baxter
39. Bridesmates by Sydney Smyth
40. “You Just Need to Lose Weight”: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon (re-read) **
41. Out of the Blue by Josh Lanyon
42. To Heist and to Hold (Wimpole Street Widows Society, Book 1) by Christina Britton
43. Cards on the Table by Josh Lanyon (re-read)
44. Legend (A Gothic Shade of Romance, Book 2) by Karina Halle
45. Angels Fall by Nora Roberts (re-read) **
46. Hot for Slayer by Ali Hazelwood
47. Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen’s Unsung Characters by Elinor Lipman, Adriana Trigiani, Karen Dukess, Eloisa James, Audrey Bellezza, Emily Harding, Diana Quincy, Nikki Payne, and Sarah MacLean
48. Just Desserts by Josh Lanyon (re-read)
49. The Seven Rings (The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 3) by Nora Roberts
50. Murder in Highbury (Emma Knightley Mysteries, Book 1) by Vanessa Kelly **
51. The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer
52. Murder at Donwell Abbey (Emma Knightley Mysteries, Book 2) by Vanessa Kelly
53. Knock Out (Beautiful Boxers, Book 1) by Willow James
54. A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, Book 0.5) by Ilona Andrews (re-read)
55. A Death, A Duke, and Miss Mifford (Regency Murder & Marriage, Book 1) by Claudia Stone
56. All Wrapped Up in You (Home Sweet Holidays) by Rosie Danan
57. My Favorite Holidate (Evergreen Falls, Book 1) by Lauren Blakely
58. What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
59. The Unlikely Pursuit of Mary Bennet (Austentatious, Book 1) by Lindz McLeod
60. Cozy for the Holidays by Liz Maverick
61. Reunion in Death (In Death, Book 14) by J.D. Robb (re-read)
62. A Victim, a Viscount, and Miss Mifford (Regency Murder & Marriage, Book 2) by Claudia Stone
63. The Fashion of Clueless by Mona May
64. Mrs. Holloway’s Christmas Pudding (Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 6.75) by Jennifer Ashley
65. Unnatural (The Wrong Alpha, Book 1) by Alessandra Hazard
66. Feral (The Wrong Alpha, Book 2) by Alessandra Hazard
67. Merry and Bright (Home Sweet Holidays) by Ali Rosen
68. A Murder, a Marquess, and Miss Mifford (Regency Murder & Marriage, Book 3) by Claudia Stone

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