Review for Jill Shalvis' "HE FALLS FIRST"

 

HE FALLS FIRST
Contemporary Romance

 

 

AUTHOR:
Jill Shalvis

RELEASE DATE:
August 05, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Sourcebooks, Casablanca

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781464243899

RATING:
5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.jillshalvis.com/

 

 

Ryder Colburn owns and operates a successful restoration business. He also takes on the care of his stroke-addled father – the very man who had abused him and his siblings as children. The death of his best friend and business partner has left Ryder emotionally stunted. Until he encounters the snarky-mouthed Penny Rose. The woman awakens something inside him, and Ryder finds himself drawn to her. Can Ryder help Penny overcome her issues? Or will his own stand in their way?

Penelope “Penny” Rose moves back home a broken shell of her former self. The fiasco of her last relationship causes her to swear off men and dating. Penny has given up her dream of opening a café to financially support her family. Then Ryder Colburn enters her orbit. Penny does not trust herself or her instincts when it comes to him. Can Penny trust Ryder not to hurt her? Will he help her heal from the trauma of her last relationship? Or will they both self-sabotage the possibility of a relationship?

Ryder is my favorite type of hero: wounded/tortured type. He is a man burdened daily by his own emotional baggage. Ryder puts everyone else’s needs before his own. I admire his decision to take care of his father. Ryder could have washed his hands of the man who had abused him and his siblings. Or hire a full-time caretaker to see to the man’s care and needs. Ryder even feels conflicted when confronted by the father of the present to the man of the past. What I adore the most about Ryder is his patience and care with Penny. He recognized a kindred spirit, one who has experienced something like he and his siblings did.

Penny impressed me. Not too many women have the bravery or temerity to escape an abusive relationship. She did. Penny knows the experience has left some issues she needs to deal with and heal from. I also empathize with her. With the state of the economy today and prices of things, being financially stable is a pipe dream. Many people are stuck at a job that hardly provides for them or their family. What I like the most about Penny is how she and Ryder have so much in common. They both have the inability to ask for help when it’s needed, preferring to take care of things on their own. They both take care of their loved ones and friends.

HE FALLS FIRST is the first installment in Jill Shalvis’ brand-new, contemporary romance series, COLBURN BROTHERS. This book is everything I come to expect from Shalvis: humor, witty characters and touchy/difficult subject matter. If I did not need to sleep or deal with the day-to-day housework, I could have finished this story in a day. I simply did not want to put it down because I became emotionally invested from the first chapter.

Now the wait for Caleb and Tucker’s books (impatiently I might add!). I have a suspicion on who Tucker’s love interest will be… I had hoped Penny’s friend Violet would be a good candidate for Caleb. Also, I am curious if Shalvis has any plans for Kiera. She deserves to find happiness again.

My favorite character in the book is Pika-boo, the green and yellow budgie. He makes me almost wish I had a bird again… almost. I remember the fun a mischievous, talking bird could be. Pika-book brought up sweet memories of my Nanday Conure, Draven and his favorite phrases.

Review for Youga Rayri's "SHOUT LOUD, MY HEART"

 

SHOUT LOUD, MY HEART
Music, BL

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Youga Rayri

RELEASE DATE:
June 17, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comics

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798888775042

RATING:
4.5

 

Gen is EVE’s antisocial guitarist. He keeps to himself and does not interact with people much. Mike is the lead singer for ADAM, EVE’s rival. They two meet at a joint gig, where Gen becomes fascinated by Mike’s voice. Their paths continue to cross frequently which leads to feelings developing between the two. Will Gen’s sound evolve thanks to Mike’s influence? Is it a good thing? Or bad?

 Gen and Mike are complete opposites. Mike is like the day in appearances and personality to Gen’s night. These opposites balance the other.

I like that Gen calls Mike by his given name (Mika) and not the nickname saddled onto him. And I love how Mike is not put off by Gen’s loner personality.

 GIVEN and PINK HEART JAM started my enjoyment for music/band-oriented mangas. This one, SHOUT LOUD, MY HEART, did not disappoint. A one-shot – which is a bummer. It had potential if it would go further. There is a spicy scene near the end.

Review for Casey Griffin's "DEAD RINGER"

 

DEAD RINGER
Cozy Mystery, Paranormal-Mystery

 

AUTHOR:
Casey Griffin

PUBLISHER:
Charming Frog Publishing

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.caseygriffin.com/para-cozy-books

 

 

Violet Woods agrees to resize an engagement ring for two former suspects-turned-friends. When it disappears, literally beneath her nose, she uses her witchy ability to locate it. Violet discovers other shops have experienced thefts too. Can she find the culprit behind the thefts and retrieve the ring? Or will this loss spell doom for Charming Treasures’ business?

It is nice to see the interaction between Violet and Zelda. They still have their problems, but the two are slowly learning their partner’s quirks. I like how Violet is slowly learning to use her witchy ability. She does not have full control and blunders often.

DEAD RINGER is a novella in Casey Griffin’s paranormal-mystery series, CHARM ISLAND MYSTERY. The story takes place between books two and three, so it is necessary to read them first. Sadly, there is no clue revealed about the accident that claimed Violet’s fiancé at the end. DEAD RINGER is a quick yet cute story.

REVIEW: Casey Griffin's "Inlaid to Rest"

 

INLAID TO REST
Cosy Mystery

 

 

AUTHOR:
Casey Griffin

RELEASE DATE:
May 22, 2025

PUBLISHER:
Charming Frog Publishing

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781990470370

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://books.caseygriffin.com/

 

 

Violet Woods has gleaned new information on the accident five years ago that took her fiancé. She hopes Max can answer some questions she has about the incident. Violet accompanies her best friend to a new luxury resort, the very place that Max works at. However, she discovers a dead body near his boat. When Max becomes the top suspect, Violet knows she must help clear his name. Can she find the real murderer? And what other clues will Violet unearth about her fiance’s tragic accident?

Violet is still struggling to adjust to being a witch and her abilities. Then there is the guilt of her fiancé’s death AND abandoning her family and friends five years ago. I like how Violet is finally coming to terms with all of that. That she came to that conclusion herself allows her to heal and move on. I hope we learn more about Violet’s mother. She and her dad need closure.

INLAID TO REST is the third book in Casey Griffin’s paranormal-mystery series, CHARM ISLAND MYSTERY. The series is best read in proper order, starting with ENGRAVE DANGER.  Each book shows Violet’s growth, in both accepting being a witch AND healing from her fiancé’s death. The author does like to drop important clues on the accident at the end of each novel. Neat way to keep readers hooked and needing to read the next installment. I cannot wait for the next book!

I am giddy that my suspicions on Max proved correct! The author took her own approach with shifters, breaking away from the normal mold cast. I like that. I could elaborate but I chose not to because of possible spoilers. The fun is learning for oneself.