This was my first time reading a novel by Lucia Jordan, and she definitely kept me intrigued—especially with that ending. Her writing style is engaging, playful, and perfectly suited for a seductive, fast-paced read. The story introduces us to Chardonnay Selby, who—at the urging of her roommate Cecily—agrees to go on a blind date with Cecily’s “hot” coworker. The instructions are simple: meet at the hotel restaurant and look for the man holding a white rose. But when Chardonnay arrives, she finds two men with white roses—one casually dressed in jeans and a sport coat, the other impeccably styled in a finely tailored suit. It turns out the sharply dressed man is Stephan Hale, and from the moment he appears, he commands the room—and the date. Stephan is confident, dominant, and deliberate in every move he makes. Though Chardonnay promises Cecily she won’t sleep with her blind date, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Stephan’s magnetic presence. When he whisks her away to Aria for an...
This was my first time reading a contemporary romance novella by Jerrica Knight-Catania, and I found her writing style heartfelt and engaging as she explored the theme of love. The story follows Melanie Smith, an aspiring actress chasing her Broadway dreams while waiting tables at a diner between auditions. Her best friend Lisa decides she needs a break from the city, and together with their friend Shauna, they set sail on a six-day Bermuda cruise. Melanie, however, worries her job may be at risk if Cliff, her boss, discovers she doesn’t actually have a sick uncle—something Lisa concocted to secure her time off. On the first day aboard, the trio meets Devon Matthews, a restless millionaire who has taken a job as a masseuse on the ship. Intrigued by Melanie’s unhappiness, he offers the women free massage vouchers, secretly hoping to see her again. Devon is nervous during Melanie’s massage session, but it becomes his chance to be close to her. When he finally asks her out, she...