5 Love Stories to Spend Your Weekend Devouring
By: Hidden Gems on April 19, 2022
If you’re a regular on the Hidden Gems blog, you’ll know that romance is the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program. Our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. We’ve got one for everybody on this round-up of top rated love stories.
Coaching the Nanny by Alexa Padgett
Coaching the Nanny is a steamy, angsty single dad sports romance from USA Today Bestseller Alexa Padgett, whose love stories are universally enjoyed by our ARC readers.
In their five star review, M18 raves, “Emotional, angsty, intriguing, steamy, heartfelt, heartbreaking…just perfection. Coaching The Nanny by Alexa Padgett is all that and so much more.” She continues, “From the moment I sat down and started reading I found myself so quickly falling in love with Paloma and Silas, two characters that are so likable, so relatable and very multi-layered. Silas is a retired NHL Player who is currently coaching a new expansion hockey team in Texas. When tragedy hits his family he ends up returning home, it’s there he meets Paloma. Paloma comes into his life when he least expects it, from the moment they meet the attraction they share is undeniable; their journey is not an easy one. It’s about learning to love, to trust, to hope, and to chase your dreams. What an amazing story.”
A.B. adds in their five star review, “This newest story from Alexa Padgett brings together the desire for family from three different character perspectives. In the telling of the story, we feel the pain of loss and how these characters come together to overcome the pain—one from maternal death, one from a previous betrayal where assumptions were invalid, and the third from the loss of security and family. It’s a rebranding of hope where insecurity and trust need to be established to ensure the pain of new loss won’t cause a different type of pain.
I gave this book 5 stars because Ms. Padgett writes a strong story with endearing characters. Yes the ‘nanny story’ has been written before, however the quirks and turns this story took with Paloma’s previous family, Silas’ issues with his family and the yearning he has to set it right well earned this rating.”
Forsaking All Others by Erin FitzGerald
Another five star favorite, Forsaking All Others is the first in The Atholon Series by Erin FitzGerald.
Sean, an unexpected fan, writes in his five star review, “FitzGerald writes engaging, believable characters that you not only care about but genuinely want to see succeed. Not being a romance fan, I took a chance on this novel and wasn’t disappointed. I think she may have herself a convert!
The novel’s premise, a woman trapped in a loveless marriage for the sake of herself and her son, at first doesn’t seem all that bad until its true implications settle upon the reader. She wants for nothing but is denied the one thing she truly needs … the one thing we all truly need: an honest and deep connection.
FitzGerald moves the story along in whispers rather than gasps but it never seems to drag or feel stale. Her pacing and knack for getting to the root of an emotional scene without engaging in stereotypes had me hooked from the first chapter and dying to read more.
If you are a devoted romance reader looking for a great way to pass a rainy afternoon or a gateway into the genre, this book is for you!”
His sentiments are seconded by Elizabeth, in her five star review, “Absolutely loved this book and the storyline! We all love a happy ending but having twists and turns throughout keep the interest heightened, could not put this book down and had a very late night/early morning because I had to know what’s next! Highly recommend this book and series, Erin is a phenomenal author and am definitely following her to see what’s next!”
Lady of the Primorial Tree by Daniela A. Mera
Lady of the Primordial Tree is perfect for fantasy readers hoping for a mix of Brandon Sanderson’s unique universes and magic systems and Sarah J. Maas’ ability to write romantic tension and beautiful descriptions.
Tessa describes in her five star review, “I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I am so thankful! Because WOW! Finding a true original story is hard to do now a days, but this book is exactly that. A true original.
It’s epic, and the world building is beautiful and shows the great imagination the author has. I’ll admit at first I was a little apprehensive but once the story absorbed me I stayed up well into the night reading, because I just had to know what happened next!
The female lead is strong and takes care of business. She needs no man, but when a charming one comes along it doesn’t hurt. I loved the organic chemistry of the characters!”
Michaella’s five star review further summarizes what readers will love about this book, “Set in a matriarchal society with magic and mythical beasts, Lady of the Primordial Tree is a must-read if you enjoy action-filled romance set in a fantasy setting. You will be drawn into this story with exquisite world-building and a fantastic character arc and not want to put it down.”
Sins of the Orchid by Eva Winners
Winners writes love stories about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA. Sins of the Orchid is no exception.
Tina raves in her five star review, “Sins of the Orchid is one of the best age gap, mafia romances I have ever read. I loved everything about this book. The story is intense, the characters are so strong and complex and the words just flow across the page. This is my favorite Eva Winners story. She is such a great writer. Santino and Amore have a magnetic, undeniable attraction and they almost burn the place down when together. I didn’t want the story to end!”
This sentiment was shared by many reviewers, including in the five star review written by Mrsbrightside, “This book was absolutely amazing. I don’t normally enjoy books this long (most can’t keep the flow going), but this book flowed so well and took place over numerous years. Eva Winners always writes a story that keeps you hooked and doesn’t have you skipping pages to get to the end. Amore is strong, sweet and caring. Santino is like a dream! He may make some tough choices, but he does it so well. There was a point where I was teetering on the edge not sure what was going to happen to a certain scene and the people in it. My heart was racing, I had tears in my eyes. Seriously, I can’t recommend this book enough.”
Wanderlost by Jennilynn Wyer
Wanderlost is a steamy, New Adult, friends to lovers, small town, sports romance, and the second book in The Montgomerys series of stand-alone novels. You do not have to read the other books in The Montgomerys or the Fallen Brook Series. Each stand-alone in The Montgomerys series focuses on one of Fallon Montgomery’s half-siblings. Wanderlost is Harper’s story. Reader’s note: Wanderlost touches upon topics that may be triggering to some readers.
For those who choose to read, the reviews are unanimous:
“Jennilynn gives us a love story like no other that I have read before.” – Kelchick Booklover Reviews
“Jennilynn Wyer has an incredible way of creating characters that are relatable in both their flaws and their love.” – Myra Read book blogger
“So many emotions are running through my head after reading Wanderlost. I am in awe of Jennilynn Wyer’s writing. Bennett and Harper will forever remain in my heart; this is a breathtaking story of survivor, love, friendship and rebirth.” – World of Books 65
Hidden Gems readers got to read these hot love stories first, so if you want more happily ever afters to cozy up with, sign up today! Subscribers to Hidden Gems receive invitations to read books like these – plus other titles from any of up to 15 other genres – for free. Authors send these out in the hopes that the readers will write an honest review on Amazon once they’re done.
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