[Review] THIS CAN'T BE GOODBYE (Bower Boys, #0.5) by Kelly Siskind

Source: Received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: November 29, 2023

Number of Pages: 147 (Kindle)

DESCRIPTION

She's the bane of my existence and the last woman I should want.
Then why does learning we can't be together damn near shred my heart?

Naomi James holds a grudge like it’s an Olympic competition.

She’s always in front of me in line for our coffees, going out of her way to annoy me—not advancing when she should, paying in pennies and nickels—all because I did something stupid seven years ago.

Even worse, the slope of her long neck and smell of her tropical perfume drives me to distraction.

Apparently, my body didn’t get the we-hate-Naomi memo.

She’s so aggravating, I have half a mind to quit frequenting my favorite coffee shop. Until I discover why she's harbored a grudge this long.

Now all bets are off, because hell . She thinks I said awful things about her, which I most certainly did not, and I can’t live with this misunderstanding. Or how often she invades my dreams. Or the fact that I’ve wanted her for seven years.

But just when Naomi looks ready to forgive me and admit she’s angry because she cares, any future together gets ripped away from us…

THIS CAN'T BE GOODBYE is a prequel to the Bower Boys series, complete with its own swoony HEA! Previously titled 5 Tricks to Seducing Your Enemy , it has been re-written to include both points of view and extra scenes. If you love small town romance, enemies to lovers banter, feel good sighs, and face fanning spice, you'll devour this book.

B U Y   L I N K S:
Amazon US | Amazon Canada
(Available for purchase or in Kindle Unlimited.)

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REVIEW

I remember reading THIS CAN'T BE GOODBYE back when it was first called 5 TRICKS TO SEDUCING YOUR ENEMY! If I remember correctly, it was originally released through Kelly Siskind's newsletter and I loved it so, so much! It made me so excited to start the Bower Boys series, and now here we are, full circle, with it being revised and re-released just in time to wrap up the series! 

I was so happy to get the chance to read this story again and to have even more of Avett and Naomi's story! Their banter was amazing and I looooooved their enemies to lovers dynamic! It was so lovely to see how their relationship transitioned through the story, and I loved seeing where they ended up...I also love the little teases to the first book in the series, 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER. This is such a wonderful introduction to Kelly's Bower Boys series and it'll definitely have you excited for more books set in the world of Windfall!

 Overall, I thought that THIS CAN'T BE GOODBYE was fabulous and the revisions that Kelly made to it made it even better! It's a great way to introduce yourself to the world of Windfall, a great spicy and sweet read if you just want something quick, and a fabulous way to go back and revisit the world of Windfall one last time like I did! While it's much shorter than the rest of the series since it's a novella, it's still a lovely story and I highly recommend it...and then if you haven't read any of the Bower Boys books yet....I highly suggest you just keep going. ;)

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think?

 

Are you ready to travel to Windfall and get started with Kelly Siskind's Bower Boys series?

[Review] 7 STEPS TO SEDUCING YOUR FAKE FIANCE (Bower Boys, #5) by Kelly Siskind

Source: Received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: November 15, 2023

Number of Pages: 341 (Kindle)

DESCRIPTION

What’s worse than being fake engaged to a woman who despises you?
Falling head over heels for her.

Larkin Gray hates me with the fire of ten thousand suns.

We haven’t seen each other in twelve years, but she’s still furious with me for breaking a promise to her…and she’s even prettier than I remember.

But there’s no undoing the damage I caused.

Since I can’t make amends, I avoid her lethal glare at all costs. Until I stumble upon her lying about having a fiancé to her ex, and I lose my ever-loving mind. Suddenly, I’m introducing myself as her betrothed and getting us invited to his wedding.

Predictably, Larkin is intent on making my life miserable, except this barbed banter is kind of fun. And the more time we spend together, the more we discover we have in common.

Then she kisses me to prove our relationship status and I damn near lose my heart.

I’m ready to go all in with Larkin, but she’s not the only one I hurt twelve years ago. Her intimidating brother has every reason to hate me too and doesn’t want me touching his sister. But my lips and tongue don’t count as hands. Right?

Trigger warning: Physical and emotional abuse. It’s also recommended that you read book four in the Bower Boys series, 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND, before reading this heart-gripping story.

B U Y   L I N K S:
Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Barnes & Noble

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REVIEW

It’s hard to believe that with 7 STEPS TO SEDUCING YOUR FAKE FIANCE we’ve hit the final book in the Bower Boys series!

I have absolutely loved this series from the very first moment we entered Windfall, and it has been so fun getting to see these characters over and over again…and I’ve really loved that we’ve gotten to see the brothers all find love.

I’m a huge fan of companion series, and the sort of small-town setup that Kelly Siskind has created in the Bower Boys series is my kryptonite! I loved that we got to see our favourite characters come back, and I loved seeing the background characters and the town as a whole as it evolved throughout the series! I loved so many of the side characters and Windfall truly feels like a home away from home…and the Bowers feel like family! I’m going to miss them all so much, and you can bet I’ll be revisiting them again!

Jake was quite the mystery for the first chunk of this series since we didn’t see much of him and Cal at first (Cal’s book was the one before this one, 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND) , but the more we saw of Jake, the more I wanted to know! I loved how he took care of his family and how we could see that underneath the pillar of strength he presented, there was a bit of darkness and angst that needed to come out! I really loved Larkin’s sass and her banter with Jake was phenomenal--I was constantly laughing, swooning, and smiling at their antics, and it was seriously so fun to see their story unfold…especially after being teased about the drama between them in the last book! I loved that we got a peek into how their story began and how it unfolded so wonderfully…also Jake was such a cinnamon roll and I was 100% here for it! I’ve loved every single one of the Bower brothers…but Jake definitely has a soft spot in my heart and I wanted to give him the biggest of hugs!

This book was packed full of soooo many wonderful tropes--we’ve got our cinnamon roll hero who falls first, a fake engagement, enemies to lovers, all the small-town vibes, and some absolutely hilarious brotherly antics!

Overall, I loved 7 STEPS TO SEDUCING YOUR FAKE FIANCE! Jake and Larkin were wonderful, and along with loving their romance, I really enjoyed the story! It’s been a pleasure getting to know all of the Bowers and their lovely hometown, Windfall! If you haven’t started this series, I highly recommend that you do…especially since Kelly is about to re-release an expanded and re-written version of a prequel novella, THIS CAN’T BE GOODBYE (previously 5 TRICKS TO SEDUCING YOUR ENEMY), in just a couple of weeks! If you’re a fan of sweet, swoony, enticing romances with a nice level of spice, I highly recommend the Bower Boys series…and Kelly’s other books too because she’s absolutely fabulous!

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think?

 

Does 7 STEPS TO SEDUCING YOUR FAKE FIANCE sound like a book you'd like?

Have you started the Bower Boys series yet?  

[Review] 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND (Bower Boys, #4) by Kelly Siskind

Source: Received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 26, 2023

Number of Pages: 366 (Kindle)

DESCRIPTION

A rule follower gets stuck living with the off-limits woman he's always wanted in this small-town romance that sizzles with slow-burn heat.

Jolene Daniels is my best friend. Sorry...was. She was my best friend a lifetime and ten years of witness protection ago. Now that I've returned to my hometown, Jolene and I are once again hanging out.

As friends.

I do not fantasize about the time we fell asleep in the tree house we built, and I woke up with her tucked against my aching chest. I don't replay the days we raced through the woods, nothing but carefree adventure and laughter filling the air.

Nope. We're just old pals, and I'm thrilled to have her back in my life. Of course, I notice how stunning she is, but it's fine.

Until her apartment floods and she temporarily moves into my place. In the room beside mine. Nothing but a thin wall between us. She also walks around in flimsy tank tops. Zero bra.

Did I mention she's my brother's ex and he's looking to rekindle their romance?

Good thing Jolene Daniels and I are nothing but the best of friends.

Warning: This book might make your heart palpitate. It's high on will-they-won't-they angst, along with slow-burn chemistry that eventually explodes. It also contains a weird broccoli festival, obnoxious brother banter, and a raspberry picking scene that might melt your heart. Read at your own discretion.

B U Y   L I N K S:
Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Barnes & Noble

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REVIEW

I have to start this review with a few confessions: first off, I'm not typically a fan of friends to lovers romances and second, I have a hard time picking favourites when I love a book series...you're probably wondering how 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND ties into these two confessions, so I'll tell you! This is hands-down one of the BEST friends to lovers romances that I've ever read...the build up, the banter...the chemistry between Cal and Jo, everything was PERFECTION! And I also think that this might have just topped the list as my fave in the Bower Boys series. ;)

I've been a huge fan of Kelly Siskind's for a while now, and I'm loving the entire Bower Boys series so much! I love the Bower family, all of the love interests, and absolutely adore the entire fictional town of Windfall! 

 

We're getting to the end of the series and these last two brothers, Cal and Jake, are the ones we know the least about, so I was extremely excited to get to know them better in 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND and I definitely wasn't disappointed! Cal was so wonderful, and I realllllly loved seeing how he quietly took care of his loved ones...and all of the descriptions about his glorious muscles were quite lovely, too. ;) Seeing his relationship with Jo develop throughout the story was fabulous and I loved Jo, too! Their jokes had me constantly laughing and I was rooting for them so much! 

Overall, I loved 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND and it was an absolute pleasure reading Cal and Jo's story. The banter and chemistry between them was wonderful, and I really loved how their story unfolded! Friends to lovers isn't typically a go-to romance trope for me, but Kelly Siskind absolutely nailed it in 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND in a way that I think will appeal to readers who don't typically gravitate towards it either. Trust me, this one will blow you away, and I'd definitely recommend this book along with the rest of the Bower Boys series! It's perfect for contemporary romance fans who love sweet and spicy reads!

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think?

 

Does 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND sound like a book you'd like?

Have you started the Bower Boys series yet?  

[Review] 6 CLUES YOUR NEMESIS LOVES YOU (Bower Boys, #3) by Kelly Siskind

Source: Received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 3, 2023

Number of Pages: 330 (Kindle)

DESCRIPTION

Enemies spark in this Bower Boys romance full of banter, sizzling heat, second chances, and small-town charm.

In high school, Maggie Edelstein set the rules of our secret relationship, but I’m calling the shots now. In my dreams.

Maggie’s still infuriating and confusing, and absolutely stunning. She’s also still pretending we barely spent time together as teens, when we met up nightly at her family’s pond.

Over a decade later, I’m back in my hometown and some things haven’t changed. My chemistry with Maggie is once again hotter than a four-alarm fire, and she’s intent on denying it. I don’t blame her. The last night we saw each other I made a horrible mistake and hurt her, then I vanished into witness protection for ten years.

But there’s something else going on with her.

I recognize a secret when I see one, and her friends say she doesn’t do commitment. If I can get her to forgive me and open up, maybe she’ll break her rules and give us a second chance. Or she’ll light my heart on fire and dance around the flames…

WARNING: Only read this book if you love small-town romances full of laughs and swoons, a determined man who falls first, obnoxious brothers, and wacky town festivals. There also might be a steamy scene or three.

B U Y   L I N K S:
Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Barnes & Noble

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REVIEW

I'm a HUGE fan of Kelly Siskind's Bower Boys series, so I was extremely excited for 6 CLUES YOUR NEMESIS LOVES YOU, especially since Maggie and Lennon have been teased about since the very beginning...and it was just as wonderful as I imagined! 

 

First off, I adore the Bower family! The brothers are all so wonderful, and their mother is fantastic...and it's always such a joy to see their antics and just how much they truly love each other and enjoy each other's presence! I also love their small town Windfall--it adds such a fun element to the story, and it's just as lovely seeing all of the townspeople as it is seeing the Bowers in each book! 

 

Now onto 6 CLUES YOUR NEMESIS LOVES YOU specifically, I loved Lennon and Maggie! Out of the brothers, Lennon is the brother who tends to make jokes....especially when he's uncomfortable or lighten the mood, so seeing him open up and be honest with his feelings was wonderful! And Maggie! I loved her sass and I loved seeing her open up to Lennon, too. The way that their relationship grew throughout the story was truly wonderful, and I also loved that we saw snippets of their past, too!!!

 

From secret friends as teenagers who were flirting with the potential of something more to "enemies" who were constantly antagonizing one another to friends...and finally to lovers. It was quite the journey and I loved seeing it all! 

 

Overall, I loved 6 CLUES YOUR NEMESIS LOVES YOU! It was a wonderful story with fantastic characters and I'm seriously loving this series as a whole—because of the basic premise of this series (a family getting their lives back together post-Witness Protection)—these first three books have all been second chance romances, and while that's not typically a go-to trope for me, I have to admit that I've been loving every moment of them and these books have quickly become faves of mine with that trope! I'm also so excited to learn that Kelly is continuing on the series with the two oldest Bower boys, and Cal's book, 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND, is next and it's coming out in September 2023! Highly recommend this book and the series in general to all contemporary romance fans, especially if you like some spice in your sweeter romances!

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think?

 

Does 6 CLUES YOUR NEMESIS LOVES YOU sound like a book you'd like?

Anyone else super excited to see this series continue?

 

[Review] 10 SIGNS YOU NEED TO GROVEL (Bower Boys, #2) by Kelly Siskind

Source: Received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher: Montlake

Release Date: January 31, 2023

Number of Pages: 318 (Paperback)

DESCRIPTION

A grumpy bartender learns he’s a dad in Kelly Siskind’s latest Bower Boys romance full of second chances, small-town charm, and steamy, slow-burn heat.

For the last ten years, I’ve been living a lie in witness protection. But the drug cartel that put me there isn’t a threat anymore, so I can have my life back. I should be thrilled, right?

Wrong.

The last thing I want to do is go back home and show everyone how far I’ve fallen. I’m not the high-powered lawyer they all expect me to be. I’m just a guy who slings drinks and scowls at the world.

But then I hear about Max, my ex’s ten-year-old son. My ten-year-old son.

I have to go back now. Figure out how to be a dad. Face the love of my life. Make things right with Sadie and earn her trust. Will she have me―or is it too late to reinvent myself as the man she once loved?

B U Y   L I N K S:
Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Indigo | Barnes & Noble

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REVIEW

I adored the first book in Kelly Siskind's Bower Boys series, 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER, so I jumped at the chance to snag an early review copy of 10 SIGNS YOU NEED TO GROVEL, and I'm so, so glad that I did because I absolutely loved it!

 

I felt so much for Des in the snippets that we saw of him in his brother, Ethan's, book and I was so eager to see him reunite with Sadie! I've been loving the Bower Boys series and the town of Windfall that Kelly Siskind has created, and I was so excited when I found out that Des and Sadie would be the couple in book 2! It was so lovely seeing them get their second chance and grow together!!! I love that this series is following the Bower brothers finding love...and they've all been so wonderful so far!

 

In 10 SIGNS YOU NEED TO GROVEL, Des reunites with his first love, Sadie, after being separated due to their family being thrown into witness protection. While the rest of his family struggled, Des took it the hardest. He spiraled, went on benders, and isolated himself...and now that they're able to go back to their lives, he doesn't feel like he's worthy of Sadie's love and also worries that she's moved on. As the blurb reveals...he also discovers that while he was in protection, Sadie gave birth to their son and he's now a dad! 

I'm a huge sucker for romances where we get to see the heroes grow into fatherhood, and Kelly did an amazing job with that here. Des was such a wonderful character--totally one of those heroes who puts on a cold front, but is actually a big softie who's willing to do anything for the people he loves! And Sadie was amazing, too! She was so strong, passionate, and I loved seeing the way that she and Des worked together, and their chemsitry was sooooooo good! They had amazing banter and there were some very excellent and steamy scenes between them, too. Their son, Max, was wonderful, too! He was such a sweet, sweet boy, and I can already tell that I'm going to love seeing more of him as the series continues! I also once again loved seeing all of the fun characters that live in the small town of Windfall, and especially enjoyed getting to know the Bower family even further!

 

Overall, I loved 10 SIGNS YOU NEED TO GROVEL—it was a wonderful second chance romance, and left me feeling so happy and warm! While this is the second book in a companion series, you could definitely read it as a standalone—I suggest you do read E's book, 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER, too, though because it was amazing! I can’t wait to see what happens with the rest of the Bower Boys and am so excited for Lennon and Maggie to get their story told next…I’m also hoping we start to get some teases about the other two brothers. They’re such a mystery at this point and I really hope they’ll get books, too. Highly recommend this one to all contemporary romance fans, especially if you like them sweet and spicy!!!

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think?

 

Does 10 SIGNS YOU NEED TO GROVEL sound like a book you'd like?

Have you read any of Kelly Siskind's books yet?

[Review] 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER (Bower Boys, #1) by Kelly Siskind

Source: Received an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher: Montlake

Release Date:September 6, 2022

Number of Pages: 332 (Paperback)

DESCRIPTION

From Kelly Siskind comes a slow-burn romantic comedy about one man’s creative attempt to win back his high school sweetheart after a change in fortune gives them a second chance at love.

Growing up, I had it all—my art, close friends, a gorgeous girlfriend who owned my heart—but then my life exploded.

Turns out my father was laundering money, and my whole family got shoved into witness protection. No notice. No chance to explain. I was ripped away from beautiful, blue-eyed Delilah Moon, shattering both our worlds.

A decade later, fate has given us a second chance.

The cartel my father worked for has been wiped out. I’ve returned to my hometown, determined to win back the love of my life. But Delilah is engaged.

Or . . . is she?

I’m almost positive she’s lying about her fiancé to protect her heart. Which means I need to up my game.

I’ve made a list of fifty ways to prove we’re meant to be. Except Delilah’s barely looking at me, never mind swooning. I have a feeling my disappearance scarred her more than she’s admitting, and no one in town will tell me what happened . . .

Buy Links:
Amazon US | Amazon Canada | Indigo | Barnes & Noble

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REVIEW

I first came across Kelly Siskind's books with her Showmen series, and I've thoroughly loved the ones that I've read, so as soon as I heard about her upcoming Bower Boys series, and about 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER, I was sold! I read the adorable prequel, 5 TRICKS TO SEDUCING YOUR ENEMY (shared in her newsletter), and was eagerly waiting for E and Delilah's story! It was everything that I hoped it would be and I absolutely LOVED it!

E and Delilah were lovely characters, they were so fantastic together, and I loved getting to know them and thought that their second chance love story was so wonderful! Their history was beautiful...and also heartwrenching. I especially loved the chemistry between them--it was steamy, but also felt incredibly realistic, and their banter and inside jokes made their relationship even more lovely! I was constantly laughing, smiling, and tearing up, and I didn't want to put it down.

Storywise, I thought the premise was so interesting and couldn't wait to see how everything with witness protection and E's return to Windfall would unfold...and it was done so well! I adored the town of Windfall, and the cast of amazing side characters! I'm extremely glad that we'll get to see more of them all, and am especially curious about E's brothers...the other Bower boys...and about what's going to happen in Windfall next!

Overall, I absolutely loved 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER—it was hilarious, packed full of amazing banter, and kept me riveted! I loved the romance, the writing, and I really loved the characters! I'm so excited to see where this series goes next! I'm a sucker for small town romances, and I don't tend to gravitate towards second chance romances very often, but this was, without a doubt, one of my fave second chance romances, and I highly recommend it to contemporary romance fans, especially if you're also a fan of steamy, heartwarming, and funny stories! Extra special bonus points for their being an adorable dog in the story, too. ;)

Star Rating: ★★★★★

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What do you think?

 

Does 50 WAYS TO WIN BACK YOUR LOVER sound like a book you'd like?

Have you read any of Kelly Siskind's books yet?