DorotyReads's Reviews

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I first read the description of Crush in the Cascades, I was immediately drawn to the promise of romance, adventure, and a competitive outdoor setting. I'm happy to say that the story delivered on all of those elements and kept me engaged from beginning to end.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the dynamic between the two main characters. Easton is confident, capable, and highly skilled in the wilderness, but he can also be judgmental and a little too sure of himself. Amity, on the other hand, is often underestimated by those around her. While she may initially seem out of her element, she proves herself to be resilient, determined, and far stronger than others expect. Their contrasting personalities create plenty of tension, banter, and memorable moments throughout the story.

I especially appreciated how both characters experienced personal growth. As they spend more time together, they learn to look beyond their first impressions and discover qualities in each other that they never expected. Their journey felt authentic, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop naturally alongside the challenges they faced.

The adventure aspect added an extra layer of excitement to the romance. The outdoor setting, the competition, and the obstacles the characters encounter kept the story moving at a great pace and made it more than just a typical romance novel.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy contemporary romance with an adventurous twist, strong character development, and an entertaining opposites-attract dynamic. If you love stories filled with chemistry, humor, personal growth, and a touch of wilderness adventure, Crush in the Cascades is definitely worth picking up.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After enjoying the first book in the series, I was excited to return to the world of Tangle in the Tropics, and this story did not disappoint. Once again, Lisa S. Gayle combines romance, adventure, and the excitement of a reality television competition into a fun and engaging read.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the second-chance romance between Andrew and Hannah. Their relationship is filled with history, unresolved emotions, and the lingering question of whether two people who once loved each other can find their way back together. The emotional depth of their story made it easy to become invested in their journey.

Andrew is confident, charming, and used to life in the spotlight, but beneath his public image is a man who genuinely regrets past mistakes and is willing to fight for what matters most to him. Hannah is thoughtful, strong, and determined not to let old heartbreak define her future. I appreciated that neither character was perfect; their flaws made them feel more realistic and their growth throughout the story even more satisfying.

The tropical island setting added a wonderful atmosphere to the novel. The challenges, competition, and beautiful scenery created the perfect backdrop for both romance and self-discovery. The story moved at a steady pace, balancing emotional moments with humor, adventure, and plenty of chemistry between the main characters.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy second-chance romances, reality-show settings, and character-driven love stories. If you like seeing former couples confront their past, heal old wounds, and rediscover what brought them together in the first place, this book is definitely worth reading. It was an entertaining, heartfelt, and enjoyable addition to the series.

Rating: 4.5 stars

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After reading the previous books in the series, I was excited to dive into the last one Love in La La Land, and it quickly became one of my favorite installments in the Race for Riches or Romance series. Lisa S. Gayle once again combines romance, adventure, humor, and reality-show drama into a story that is both entertaining and emotionally engaging.

What I loved most about this book was the relationship between Bria and Rick. They are complete opposites in many ways, which creates plenty of tension, banter, and heartfelt moments throughout the story. Bria is fiercely independent, determined, and focused on achieving her goals. She is strong and capable, but her reluctance to trust love makes her emotional journey particularly compelling. Rick, on the other hand, is kind, genuine, and refreshingly honest. Despite the disappointments he has experienced in the past, he still believes in real connections and isn't afraid to be vulnerable.

Their chemistry felt natural and believable, and I enjoyed watching their relationship develop from a practical partnership into something much deeper. The fake-engagement aspect added a fun layer to the story, while the reality-show setting brought plenty of excitement, unexpected challenges, and entertaining twists along the way.

I also appreciated that both characters had personal obstacles to overcome. Their growth felt authentic, and the emotional moments balanced perfectly with the humor and romance. The Hollywood setting added a glamorous backdrop without overshadowing the heart of the story, which was ultimately about trust, healing, and taking a chance on love.

I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy opposites-attract romances, fake-dating or fake-engagement tropes, and character-driven love stories with plenty of chemistry and emotional depth. If you enjoy reality-show romances filled with humor, adventure, and satisfying character growth, Love in La La Land is definitely worth picking up. It was a fun, heartfelt, and thoroughly enjoyable read that left me smiling by the end.

Rating: 4.5

I went into Unassisted with high expectations because the premise immediately appealed to me. A forbidden romance between a professional hockey captain recovering from an injury and the team's physical therapist sounded like the perfect combination of emotional tension, vulnerability, and slow-burn romance. While I can definitely see what the author was trying to achieve, I struggled to fully immerse myself in the story.

The biggest challenge for me was the dialogue. There were several moments where I found myself rereading conversations because I lost track of what was being said or what the characters truly meant. The unique "translation game" between Declan and Elena is an interesting concept, but at times it felt so layered that it created distance instead of intimacy. Rather than drawing me further into their connection, it occasionally pulled me out of the story.

What kept me reading were the characters themselves. Declan is much more than the dependable hockey captain everyone sees. Beneath his calm exterior is a man carrying years of pressure, loneliness, and fear of being vulnerable after learning the hard way that trust can be weaponized. His instinct to protect everyone around him, even at his own expense, made him incredibly easy to sympathize with. I admired how his strength wasn't defined by physical resilience but by the quiet determination to keep moving despite everything weighing on him.

Elena was equally compelling in a very different way. Her reliance on clinical language isn't simply part of her profession—it's the emotional shield she's built to survive past experiences. Watching her slowly lower those defenses was one of the novel's strongest elements. She isn't cold; she's someone who has convinced herself that precision is safer than honesty, and seeing her rediscover trust felt genuine and believable.

Their relationship develops patiently, built on understanding rather than instant attraction, and I appreciated that the emotional connection always came first. However, because I never completely clicked with the writing style, I wasn't able to experience the emotional impact as deeply as I had hoped.

Overall, Unassisted has thoughtful character work and a romance built on healing, trust, and learning to be seen. I only wish the dialogue had flowed more naturally for me, because I believe these two characters deserved a story that allowed their emotional depth to shine even brighter.

After finishing Unassisted, I was curious to see where H.A. Laine would take the series next. The idea of a romance between a professional hockey player and the journalist covering his team immediately caught my attention, especially because the conflict feels believable from the very beginning. While I appreciated many aspects of the story, I never became as emotionally invested as I had hoped.

The writing has a thoughtful, introspective style, but it sometimes made the story difficult to follow. I occasionally found myself losing track of conversations or wondering how much time had passed between scenes. There were moments where the emotional intention was clear, yet the execution felt a little fragmented, making it harder to stay fully immersed in Ben and Renee's journey.

What stood out most to me was Ben's character. On the surface, he's the teammate who always has a joke ready and keeps everyone around him smiling. Underneath that humor, however, is someone carrying grief, guilt, and an almost instinctive need to protect everyone except himself. His tendency to solve other people's problems while ignoring his own made him feel like a genuinely complex person rather than a typical hockey romance hero. Watching him slowly accept that vulnerability isn't weakness was one of the novel's strongest elements.

Renee was equally interesting in a quieter way. She's intelligent, observant, and determined to build a career based on honesty, but past experiences have taught her how easily someone's voice can be dismissed by those in power. Her independence isn't simply confidence—it's something she's fought hard to reclaim. I admired that she refused to let anyone make decisions on her behalf, even when those decisions came from a place of love.

The romance develops naturally through mutual respect and growing trust instead of instant attraction, which I always appreciate in a slow-burn story. Ben and Renee challenge each other's coping mechanisms, and together they gradually learn that love isn't about fixing another person but about allowing them the space to face themselves.

Overall, Between the Glass has strong ideas, emotionally layered characters, and a relationship built on genuine understanding. Unfortunately, the pacing and writing style occasionally created enough distance that I never felt completely connected to the story. It's a thoughtful romance with plenty of heart, but it didn't leave the lasting emotional impact I was hoping for.

Last Change was probably my favorite of the series so far, even though I still found myself struggling with some aspects of the writing. The story has a warm, emotionally grounded atmosphere, and the combination of a veteran hockey player, a single mother, and a workplace romance creates a relationship that feels mature and believable.

Vince immediately stood out to me because of how much he keeps hidden beneath his quiet, controlled exterior. He isn't the kind of character who expresses himself easily, and it's obvious that years of responsibility, disappointment, and emotional restraint have shaped the way he moves through life. Rather than trying to fix everything with grand gestures, he shows his care through consistency and quiet acts of support. Watching him slowly realize that letting someone in doesn't make him weaker was easily the most rewarding part of the book.

Elara complements him beautifully. She's organized, dependable, and constantly trying to keep every part of her life from falling apart, but beneath that capable exterior is someone who rarely gives herself permission to lean on others. As a single mother, she's learned to rely on herself first, and I appreciated that her strength never came across as perfection. Instead, she felt like someone doing her best while carrying more than most people realize.

Their relationship develops at a steady pace built on trust, patience, and mutual respect rather than dramatic misunderstandings. I especially enjoyed how naturally Vince fit into Elara and Leo's lives without trying to replace anyone or force a ready-made family dynamic. Those quieter moments often carried more emotional weight than the romantic scenes themselves.

That said, I still had the same issue I've experienced with other books in the series. The writing style occasionally felt stiff, and some conversations lacked a natural rhythm. There were moments where I had to pause and work out who was speaking or where a scene had shifted, which interrupted the emotional flow just when I was becoming invested. With smoother dialogue and a slightly tighter structure, I think this story could have had an even greater impact.

Overall, Last Change offers thoughtful characters, a comforting slow-burn romance, and a satisfying journey of healing for two people who have spent far too long believing they had to carry everything alone. While the writing style kept it from becoming a true favorite, Vince and Elara's emotional growth made this an enjoyable and worthwhile read.

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Last Save ended the Ice and Instinct series on a satisfying note. I appreciated that the romance was woven into a larger story about accountability, trust, and standing up for people whose voices have been ignored for too long. The investigation added higher stakes than in the previous books, giving the relationship between Milo and Risa a purpose beyond simple attraction.

Milo was easily the highlight of the novel for me. He's observant, thoughtful, and someone who notices details that everyone else overlooks. At first, his quiet nature makes him seem emotionally distant, but the more we learn about him, the clearer it becomes that he experiences the world with remarkable intensity. His careful way of processing people and events made him feel unique, and I enjoyed seeing how his quiet confidence slowly turned into emotional openness. He isn't someone who expresses affection with dramatic declarations; instead, he builds trust through consistency, honesty, and unwavering loyalty.

Risa was a great match for him. She's confident without being intimidating, determined without losing her compassion, and carries the emotional maturity that comes from years of experience. I especially liked that the age-gap dynamic never defined her character. Instead, what stood out was her integrity and her commitment to doing the right thing, even when it placed her in difficult situations. Together, she and Milo created a relationship built on mutual respect and genuine understanding rather than unnecessary drama.

The romance itself develops gradually, allowing both characters to feel like equal partners. Their connection grows through shared values and quiet moments, making it easy to believe in them as a couple.

That said, I still struggled with parts of the writing. Some of the technical explanations surrounding the investigation and hockey operations occasionally slowed the pacing, and there were moments where the dialogue or internal reflections felt more analytical than emotional. While I appreciated the author's attention to detail, I sometimes found myself wishing for a smoother narrative flow that would let the emotional moments land with greater impact.

Overall, Last Save is a thoughtful conclusion to the series, combining romance with meaningful themes of trust, healing, and justice. Although the writing style continues to be a little hit-or-miss for me, Milo and Risa's emotional journey kept me invested, and I finished the book feeling that the series ended on its strongest note so far.

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Talk to Me at Midnight immediately caught my attention with its premise. The idea of two strangers forming a connection through anonymous midnight phone calls and then unknowingly meeting in real life felt fresh, charming, and full of romantic potential. It had all the ingredients for a slow-burn romance I thought I would love, but in the end, I found myself enjoying the concept more than the execution.

Yannie was the character I connected with the most. Beneath her determination and hardworking nature is someone who has spent years measuring her worth through other people's expectations. Her fear of disappointing those around her shapes nearly every decision she makes, and it was easy to understand why she struggled to believe she deserved happiness. I appreciated that her insecurities weren't treated as a simple obstacle to overcome but as something deeply rooted in her upbringing and family dynamics.

Ash was equally interesting, although I found it took longer for me to fully understand him. He's kind, patient, and genuinely wants to be seen for who he is rather than for the image others have created around him. Underneath his calm and dependable personality is someone who has spent much of his life trying to become the version of himself that everyone else expects. His emotional restraint made sense, even if I occasionally wished he had communicated more openly.

Their relationship develops through quiet conversations and emotional intimacy instead of physical attraction, which I really appreciated. The midnight phone calls were easily my favorite part of the story because they allowed both characters to be their most honest selves. Once they began interacting face to face, however, I felt some of that magic faded. Miscommunication and hesitation kept driving the plot, and after a while I found myself wishing they would simply be honest with each other.

I also felt that several storylines were introduced with a lot of promise but never received the emotional payoff I expected. Some family conflicts and supporting characters seemed important early on, only to gradually fade into the background. Because of that, the ending felt a little incomplete, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Overall, Talk to Me at Midnight is a sweet, heartfelt romance with lovable characters and an original premise. I enjoyed the emotional themes, the cultural setting, and the gentle pace, but I was left wanting stronger character communication and more satisfying development of the story's many promising threads.

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