Fiona WestRezensionen

3.75/5 stars!

The couple of this Timber Falls book started as friends in which their relationship changed one holiday season before the hero returns home. The couple are roommates that grew closer as they years went by and now as the hero's imminent departure is coming closer, they began to realize that it's their chance to change their relationship. The question is when will they take that critical step.

This is a very nice addition to the Timber Falls series. The couple were definitely friends and the book showed how their feelings turned to wanting a deeper relationship. There's a great group of secondary characters that supported them. And it was super enjoyable to read how the book showed their expertise as doctors in some way. This book has a nice holiday vibe and a pleasing writing style. I do need some more details in some parts of the story as it would have helped make the story better in my eyes. Overall it's an enjoyable holiday romance book and I wouldn't mind reading more Fiona West books in the future.

**Thanks to the author for providing the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own.**

More Than We Bargained For by Fiona West was just the read I needed. A lovely romance with heart. Sawyer has admired Starla from afar for a while. He has noticed that her marriage was not what it should be and found a way to make her happy without her knowing it was him. What librarian wouldn't LOVE finding a free box of books every week on the library doorstep that just happens to include her favorites. He also looks forward to visiting the library once a week and being able to talk to her. He has a serious chronic health condition that has changed the course of his life and makes him believe that he will never be able to live out a life of love with Starla or any other woman. Starla's marriage is all but over and a choice she makes in a moment of weakness has also altered the course of her new life without her husband. She is embarrassed and feeling overwhelmed when Sawyer offers her a short term solution to her problems that brings them closer.

I really loved More Than We Bargained For. Even though it is part of a series, I never felt like I was missing anything while reading. If anything, I am now interested in going back to learn about the other characters and their stories. It was refreshing to read a contemporary romance that didn't depend so much on the physical relationship to fill the pages of the book. I liked that there were deeper issues that were handled in such a way that the story wasn't filled with endless angst. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by this book and Fiona West has gained a new fan.

My sincere thanks to Tempest and Kite Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and provide my unbiased opinion of it.

General Info

A runaway princess is forced to return home to say goodbye to her dying father and to try and get out of her marriage contract. There's also an award for her capture so she has to stay hidden while traveling. Her fiancé joins her at her journey and together they travel and get to know each other again.

Things I liked

I think I like everything in this book. The story is an amazing page-turner and there's not one moment that the book gets boring. The adventure they are on has twists and turns and it never gets too easy. It also keeps you on your toes at all times and I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next.
The characters are complex, interesting and realistic. The princess is not perfect and they don't fall in love at first sight. The characters are also funny and there were times where I was laughing out loud.

All in all, I loved this book! I love that there is a happy ending and that it was not easy for them to reach it. It is a beautiful and interesting adventure with a hint of romance in the mix.

* Free copy of this book received from Book Sirens for an honest review

General info

Captain Saint is the communications officer for King Edward. When journalist Brooke steps into the picture to expose scandal about the king, things start to happen. Things take a turn when Saint becomes Brooke's son's mentor. They start to care about each other, but they face even more problems when the king forbids them from dating.

Things I liked

It is really nice to have a story about Captain Saint. He is one of the supporting characters in the first two books, but it is really nice to hear his story as well. The story was is easy and quick to read. It is nice that you still know most of the characters, so the story is easy to follow if you have read those. The love story itself is beautiful. It's not easy for them but that makes it more beautiful in my opinion.

All in all, I loved the story. The characters are great. The story is beautiful. It is easy to follow and it never gets boring.

* Free copy received from Book Sirens for an honest review

Rhodie and Arron James travel to the unveiled for her research. They fall in love, they fight. They have to figure themselves first, to be able to function well together. Both have some deep unresolved issues that are not easy to face.

This is a lovely book like all of the books in the borderline chronicles. At first, I wasn't sure if I would like this book as much as I've liked the previous books, but when Arron and Rhodie get into the unveiled things turn more interesting. I also really like that this book includes some serious, real-life issues in it, like eating disorders and miscarriage. Even the royal life isn't perfect. The way these issues are discussed in the book makes you really think them through and I that makes the book a lot better.
The start is a little slow for me, but as soon as you get really into the book it is so, so good. Once again, Fiona West manages to make me lost in a fantasy world of princesses and handsome soldiers.

* ARC received from the author

I'll admit it, I chose to read this book for it's cover, but found so much more. First, I appreciated the honest discussions and conflict between the engaged couple. That's not what you normally read in this type of story. Both Abbie and Parker had (and will continue to have) a lot to learn about handling conflict and working as a team, and it was often frustrating to see them screw it up so badly, but there was also very real progress made, which was fantastic to watch. The idea of having the rulers (or former ruler in Abbie's case) of a matriarchy and a patriarchy come together would naturally lead to some difficulties. I was a little uncomfortable with all the conversations the couple had about sex, but the scenes themselves stayed pretty PG and it made sense for an engaged couple to be having these conversations (even if I didn't particularly want to listen in).

The second wow factor was the frankness with which diseases, in this case lupus and trisomy 21, were discussed with both their hardships and their gifts. This is not common, particularly with so much else going on in the story. Very cool, Ms. West! Abbie's desire for independence was understandable, but Parker's desire to share everything in her life, even her suffering was equally compelling.

I was a bit confused by the magic system in the story. Initially, everything seemed normal, but then magic became a fascinating part of certain aspects of Parker's world that affected Abbie's life. That could use a bit more explanation but interesting regardless. I didn't read the first book in the series, but felt I was able to follow the story well regardless. I'm curious about what the next chapter in their lives will look like.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.