Category: Contemporary Romance

Ghost Me, Maybe by Manda Collins

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Rom Com, Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Ghost Me, MaybeGhost Me, Maybe by Manda Collins

Tracy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 22, 2026

When Khaki Boudreaux passed away, librarian Callie Jameson was shocked to learn that she had not only left Callie her beachfront home which was formerly the library of St. Ignatius College on Petite Cote Island in Louisiana, but also a one million dollar bequest, if Callie moved to the Island and lived in the home for at least one year. Overwhelmed by the inheritance, Callie packs up her life (and her cat Stella) in Cincinnati and moves to Petite Cote Island with big plans. But almost immediately it becomes clear that things are not going to go as planned. First her hotel reservation at the inn that she had booked months in advance was lost and she was forced to immediately move into the library. She is delighted to learn that Khaki’s great-nephew, Trey LeBlanc had been renovating the library for the last year but was less delighted to discover that he was living there.

Trey LeBlanc was stunned to learn that his great-aunt Khaki had left his childhood refuge to a stranger. Convinced that Callie scammed his aunt, he calls his cousin Julie (Khaki’s daughter) and is set straight, now he has to find a way to convince Callie to sell him the library when her year of tenancy is up. But despite a mutual attraction, that might be harder than he expected when they clash from the moment, they meet and the “hauntings” that have been nothing more than a nuisance for the last few months ramp up. It takes a few weeks, but eventually they find a way to cohabitate and even form a friendship. It isn’t until the “hauntings” turn dangerous, that their relationship changes and they agree to work together to find out who is behind them before things get worse and someone gets hurt.

I love Manda Collins writing style, I have read all her historical romances and while I don’t usually read contemporary romances, I was intrigued by the blurb for this book, and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. Callie and Trey are wonderful characters and their chemistry is apparent as soon as they meet. The book is more cozy mystery than rom-com, but there are enough elements of each to satisfy both genre lovers. The book is filled with good friends, found family, small-town vibes, decent mystery, slow burn romance with a closed-door love scene, lots of banter and finally a satisfying conclusion to both the mystery and the romance. The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read is a scene towards the end with Trey and his ex-wife that pulled me out the story and that I felt was an unnecessary sidetrack, I guess it was to show he was over her but it didn’t hit that way for me. Despite that little hiccup, I enjoyed this book and would happily recommend it to both cozy mystery and romance lovers!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for a DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

 

Only One for the Orc by Isabelle Taylor

On By TracyIn Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal / Fantasy, Part of a Series, Romantasy, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Only One for the Orc (Claw Haven, #3)Only One for the Orc by Isabelle Taylor

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Claw Haven #3

Release Date: August 25, 2026

Two years ago, orc Nick Wicker met his fated mate, human, Violet “Vi” Harper, too bad she made it crystal clear that she didn’t believe in fated mates, and she thought Nick was annoying. He doesn’t accept rejection immediately and tries his best to make her like him, but as the time passes, he begins to lose hope. But when the owner of the bookshop that Vi works at is injured and can’t host the weekly book club, Nick sees his chance to impress Violet and offers to host the book club. Too bad he isn’t much of a reader and at the first meeting it becomes clear that he didn’t finish the book, which causes normally calm and collected Violet to yell at him and tell him to leave. Thinking all is lost, Nick makes a final attempt at winning her over by apologizing and to his absolute shock, she not only accepts, she kisses him! Could this be the opening he needs to finally convince her she is his mate?

Violet Harper moved to Claw Haven two years ago when her sister Gabrielle’s husband was killed in an accident. She found a job working at the local bookstore that is owned by Chester, a very grumpy dragon, but Violet seems to thrive in chaos and doesn’t know how to say No to anyone – other than Nic Wicker, the orc that everyone finds charming. But when Chester is injured and there is no way Violet can run his book club, she (ungraciously)accepts Nick offer to help. She is sure he is just trying to annoy her (as usual), so when he shows up unprepared, she flips out on him and tells him leave. She then feels bad and is shocked when he comes back to apologize and kisses him. Not only that but suggests they have a friends with benefits affair. But when feelings start to get deeper, old fears may tear them apart before they can see that they are meant to be.

I enjoyed returning to Claw Haven and was delighted to catch up with the previous characters and getting to know Violet and Nick. This story was your typical enemies to lovers & miscommunication romance, but it was anything but typical. Nick is keeping big secrets, and Violet has her own issues, but the chemistry between them is obvious and you can’t help but want them to find their happy ending. If you like a romantasy with great characters, spicy love scenes, secrets, lots of books & baked goods, more than one grumpy dragon, lots of witty banter, and sweet declaration scenes – this book is for you. This is the third book in the series but could easily be read as a standalone title with no problems.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an DRC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *