It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? This book blog meme has had a few hosts in its past but is now in the capable hands of Kathryn at The Book Date. It's a place where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It's a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and to put new titles on your reading list.

Life right now!

I'm glad a new month begins tomorrow as it feels like a clean slate. The past two months have been a challenge but I'm hoping May brings some positivity which we need.

The weather has been settled although it's raining like mad today but the end of the week should hopefully bring some sunshine.

Reading wise, I was productive last week by not only catching up on outstanding reviews but the number of books read. Like many readers I have a large amount of unread novels downloaded to my Kindle, so apart from the arc's, I've been making an effort to read some of them rather than 1-clicking and buying more.

What am I currently reading?

The Secret Ingredient For a Happy Marriage by Shirley Jump (arc)

Nora has always been the sister who binds the O'Bannons together. No matter what crisis hits, smart, dependable Nora knows how to fix it. But for Nora, the pressure of perfection is taking its toll.

Nora's marriage is in trouble, and she has been reluctant to worry her sisters with just how dire her situation is. Now though, faced with losing her husband, her home, and the life she's worked so hard to build, Nora can no longer pretend.

As the O'Bannon women rally around her, Nora begins to see that failure is nothing to fear. It's like they say in the bakery: if you want to make something good, you can't be afraid to get messy. When her husband returns, asking Nora to give their family a second chance, Nora must decide if their relationship can be saved-or if it's time to throw out the old recipe and start from scratch.

Thoughts so far...

It's book two in the series and I've not read the previous one and the author is new to me too. I don't feel I've missed anything by jumping into the series, so it works as a standalone. A little different from what I'm used to, but as I vowed to broaden my reading preferences beyond romance at the beginning of the year, this title fits in nicely. I'm at the half way point and enjoying the narrative and the writing style so far. It's a solid read with likeable characters trying to work through their many issues. Apart from the protagonists, there are a couple of sub plots that I'm guessing will follow through into future instalments.

Book(s) I've read this past week?

I Think I Love You, Oxford #5 by Lauren Layne (arc)

Brit Robbins knows that dating in New York City is hard—she just hoped to have it mastered by age thirty. But after yet another promising suitor says they have no sparks, Brit decides it’s time to torch her dating game and try a new plan. And who better to coach Brit through the art of seduction than the guy who first gave her the “let’s be friends” card?
 
Hunter Cross has always figured there’s nothing his best friend Brit can do to surprise him. But Brit’s request is a surprise he doesn’t see coming—and one he’s definitely not prepared for. Hunter and Brit have always been careful to keep things perfectly platonic, but the fake dates and faux flirting are starting to feel like the real deal. And soon Hunter realizes he has taught Brit too well. Not only has she become an expert at seduction, the man becoming thoroughly seduced is him.

The Heat Is On By Poppy J. Anderson

When Hayden's fiancé breaks off their engagement, Hayden’s whole world falls apart. After all, she has loved Heath Fitzpatrick since they were children. Though she can hardly believe he really wants the breakup, she picks up the pieces of her life and tries to accept the new situation.
But her efforts are thwarted time and again by the rest of the Fitzpatrick clan, who have always been part of her life—and who are notorious for being outspoken, persistent, and downright meddlesome. None of Heath's siblings are above adding their own two cents. Or twenty.
Even Heath himself, a daring firefighter, seems to be having trouble adjusting to his new single life. So how in the world is Hayden supposed to move on, forget the plans they made for the future, and get Heath off her mind? And even more difficult—she'll need to banish him from her heart, forever.

here I Belong by Claudia Connor

An unexpected meeting at the beach and a young nephew who won't take no for an answer, has Owen falling hard and fast.

Charlotte feels something too, but violently losing her mother at a young age has her afraid to take a chance.

With only five days, Owen will have to work fast if he has any hope of winning Charlotte's heart.

This is a stand alone contemporary romance with characters related to the NYT Bestselling Titan series by Cristin Harber. Owen is the cousin of Mia Winters from WINTERS HEAT.

Lexi by T. Gephart

The ending of an unhealthy relationship leaves Lexi Reed damaged, broken and alone. Fighting against self-doubt and an unsupportive family she runs away to Europe in an effort to not only heal but to discover who she is.

Settling in Rome had never been the plan but when the opportunity presented itself Lexi rolled with the punches. Lexi doesn't believe in a happily-ever-after, instead she enjoys the spoils of the majestic city and the many men that crossed her path, vowing to never again give away her heart.

When Lexi flirts with Riccardo Cassius, a good-looking stranger, she has no idea that he is the youngest son of one of the wealthiest and most influential families in all of Rome. The knowledge that he was “off-limits” inciting her desire for him further. Just one night, that’s all she asked. What Lexi hadn’t counted on was Riccardo’s unwillingness to let her walk away.
Rebelling against his conservative upper class family and the crazy relationship rules she has imposed, Riccardo fights to keep Lexi in his life and defy the odds. How far will each of them go? Will Lexi allow Riccardo into her heart or is she destined to break his?

What are you reading?