Tag: Older/Mature

Left of Forever | Tarah DeWitt

Posted 06/13/2025 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments

Left of Forever | Tarah DeWittLeft of Forever by Tarah DeWitt
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Spice Level: 4 Flames
All-Time Favorite
Series: Spunes #2
Also in this series: Savor It
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin on 05/20/2025
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Second Chance Romance
Format: Kindle (323 Pages)
Source: Purchased
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This time, they'll get it right.

Wren and Ellis Byrd fell in love as kids, had their son Sam when they were only teenagers, and built a life together in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. They were made for one another . . . until they fell apart. Now divorced and in their 30s, Wren runs the bakery in town, while Ellis works as a firefighter. They live separate lives, though they are hardly off each other’s minds.

When Ellis and Wren move Sam into college, Ellis convinces Wren to take an extended road trip back to Spunes to see if they can give their relationship one last chance. Amid the gorgeous California coastline and the intimacy they have missed for years, Wren starts to think it just might be possible. But can the past truly be left behind? When words fail and old wounds resurface, it’s a soul-baring letter that could finally reveal the truth—or close the door on them forever.


Tarah DeWitt never disappoints. This masterpiece was everything I wanted it to be, and more. I laughed, I cried, I laughed harder, I cried a little more, and then I outright SOBBED. At the end of the book, I was ugly crying while simultaneously smiling from ear to ear and laughing through my tears.

I have but 3 thoughts (while I’m still sobbing):

  1. DAMN SILAS. That speech was AWESOME.
  2. I loved seeing LaRynn & Deacon and getting a little update on their relationship.
  3. OMG, Indy gave Gary the goose a photo shoot in a hollowed-out pumpkin. I may or may not have squealed with delight.

(Spoiler: I absolutely squealed with delight.)🪿


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The Undermining of Twyla and Frank | Megan Bannen

Posted 05/03/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
The Undermining of Twyla and Frank | Megan Bannen
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Spice Level: 3 Flames
All-Time Favorite
Series: Hart and Mercy #2
Published by Orbit on 07/02/2024
Format: DRC (464 Pages)
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Did I drop everything to read this book the second I was approved for the ARC? Yes, yes, I did. Did I lose countless hours of sleep finishing it faster than I should? Also, yes. Did I enjoy every single second of this story? 100% YES!  The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy was hands down my favorite read of 2023. Hart and Mercy destroyed my heart, put the shattered pieces back together better than before, and then lovingly wrapped me in the softest blanket while handing me a mug of hot cocoa. When I saw ‘The Undermining of […]

Lips Like Sugar | Jess K. Hardy

Posted 04/22/2024 by Hilarye in ARC Review, Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Lips Like Sugar | Jess K. Hardy
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 4 Flames
Series: Bluebird Basin #2
Published by Pinkity Publishing on 03/28/2024
Format: DRC (364 Pages)
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Jess K. Hardy has done something miraculous. She made me love Cole Sanderson more than I already loved Matthew Madigan. I was sure it couldn’t be done, but alas, here we are. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I want to live in Red Falls. It has small-town energy, beautiful scenery, a delicious bakery, a fantastic bar named Jimmy O’Callaghan’s Irish Public House (with a jukebox), and insanely hot 50-some-odd-year-old rockstars. What’s not to love?  Cole Sanderson is the epitome of the ‘golden retriever’ MMC, and I’m pretty sure my heart grew three sizes while reading […]

Come As You Are | Jess K. Hardy

Posted 04/19/2024 by Hilarye in Book Reviews / 0 Comments
Come As You Are | Jess K. Hardy
Star Rating: 4 Stars
Spice Level: 3.5 Flames
Series: Bluebird Basin #1
Published by Pinkity Publishing on 11/01/2022
Format: Kindle (318 Pages)
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Were you a 90s alternative kid? Do you like small-town feels, 90s grunge, flannel, a good mixed tape, one hell of an epic love story, and adorable St. Bernard puppies? How about a sexy 53-year-old guitar player with tattoos or a badass 46-year-old divorcee who owns a ski resort? No? Well then, we can’t be friends. An ex-rockstar and recovering addict—who now runs a sober living home—helps a divorced, single mom save her beloved ski resort from being bought by her asshole ex-husband.  That simple synopsis does NOT do this book justice. Because Jess Hardy created a relationship […]