Title: Speakeasy
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

This was always going to be a great romance and a wonderful story.  Because Sarina Bowen. What I especially loved about it though was that it showed how the Speakeasy came to be. Which then has its own wonderful spin-off series. Plus, it starts to tie in a bit tighter lot of threads that were kind of flapping I. The wind. Namely, the Rossi family and the Shipleys. Definitely a book that I loved reading and just drifted off into a happy world with for a while.

Alec’s anger at the Shirley’s, and Griffin in particular, is palpable all the way through the series up to this point. But particularly in Bountiful. I like that his romance with May has to make him pause and think things through a little bit better. Not just for her, but his own business sense. Plus, it seems that he also finally starts to find a way to have a relationship with Zara’s husband too. Both of which were very much needed moments in the overarching world, but Alec’s personal growth too.

May and Alec make a fantastic couple. I could honestly wax on about both of them individually enough to write a whole review, but as a couple. They will just melt your heart. I love that they are simply supportive of one another and there for one another. The idea that they begin with no expectations of each other, and it develops beyond friendship into something more is beautiful. And honestly just made me get all the happy feelings more and more for this fantastic couple.

For all of the things I love about this contemporary romance, it’s how Alec allows May to grow that I love the most. She has different issues and hang-ups from early on in the series. And you can understand why her family tries to Molly coddle and protect her. But it’s Alec who acknowledges that she can literally deal with anything. Her past issues with mental health make her strong, not weak. He reminds her family of that, and that to have a healthy relationship with this phenomenal woman, they need to acknowledge that strength. The kind of partner (whether man or woman) that I think we all kind of want. At least, it’s what I love in my partner…

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Keepsake
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Zach is just a little bit too cute from his first introduction in Bittersweet. And there is a whole lot of mystery around his cult upbringing. Keepsake provides so many answers to the multitude of questions that I have. And, he is just ridiculously adorable, so I fell in love with every page I turned. Then there’s Lark, she is just as adorable and sweet. Although with a totally different and unexpected mountain of challenges to overcome.

Whilst Zach’s backstory isn’t love and puppies, Lark’s is ridiculously hard. You know from the start that it’s going to be a difficult backstory. But as things unfold and you realise how messed up her issues are… your heart will break a little. What I love though is how she is strong enough to overcome. And how Zach is happy to not only stand by her sides help her, but also to STEP BACK and let her help herself.

Although for me, it is Lark’s tale that pulled at all of the heartstrings, Zach’s background is also ridiculously heebie jeebie like. I do like that the more you got to know about his past, the more different characters are pulled into the universe. Chastity is going to be a great character to get to know, and I’m sure her story is going to be just as intense with the cult background as Zach’s.

This was a truly beautiful contemporary romance that dealt wonderfully with PTSD and the mind. Its a reminder that whilst we need people in our lives to support us, we also need to be able to stand on our own two feet. Keepsake also touches on Zara’s pregnancy and child and how that is about to unspool. And May’s issues with alcoholism. Both of which are stories that I now can’t wait to sink my teeth into…

Image source: Goodreads

Title: Steadfast
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

From the moment he appears in Bittersweet, Jude’s backstory is intriguing. You get the bare bones in the first True North book, but everything is so much more tragic when you find out the intimate details. And then there’s Sophie, her story is just as tragic and honestly hurt my heart even more. Combined, their tales are kind of horrible. Yet, this was still an incredibly sweet and heart-warming romance.

There was something incredibly settling about this romance. It was very grounding and beautiful, even as Sophie and Judd find ways to fix up the mistakes of the past. I like how you slowly find out more and more information about Judd crime as the book progresses. And you slowly realise that not everything adds up. Which adds this incredible layer of “I can’t put this down” to an already wonderful story.

Bowen went kind of dark in this story, dealing with addiction, corruption, and abuse. But the unwavering nature of Sophie’s love manages to provide a lightness to the tale that would otherwise not be there. I loved how Bowen was able to balance the emotions so beautifully in this. Plus, Sophie is just so damn loyal that I fell more and more in love with her with every page turned.

Steadfast was such a beautiful tale. I freaking adored Sophie and Jude. The, there was the whole conspiracy that sat behind their reconnection. It was horrifying and made everything feel more tragic because there was so much time wasted. But ultimately it was beautiful, sweet and just too damn adorable. Definitely making True North one of my newest favourite series.

Image source: Amazon

Title: Bittersweet
Author: Sarina Bowen
Series: True North #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

The title of this novella is surprisingly well suited. There are many moments of bittersweet moments throughout, and moments of “almost” that had you leaning forward in your seat. But mostly, you have Griff (bitter) and Audrey (sweet). Rather than being a story with a great Meet Cute, this was one where the lead couple have a past. Those first getting to know you moments where still there, but with a lot more sexualising tension than other tales.

Vermont is such a stunning backdrop to this romance. It felt like the turning of the seasons and long drives down winding roads. I love when the setting to a story feels like a whole extra character, it just gives you a whole other dimension to love. Plus, how could two people not fall in love in such a glorious, small-town setting?

Living in rural Australia, the whole farm-to-table idea is fairly familiar. We have a lot of local restaurants and producers who emphasise the locality of their products. It’s not something that I’ve seen much in the stories I read though. I got pretty swept away by the food mentioned throughout this to be honest. I’m an absolute sucker for tales which involve yummy, yummy food peppered throughout. Contrasting this feeling of homeliness and comfort and locality, was the evil corporate bastards. I mean, they did good in that they are the vessel for reconnection between Audrey and Griff, but still… evil corporate bastards.

This whole story was absolutely beautiful, and as with all romances, there is that strong moment of “oh no” when everything unravels. Luckily, Griff isn’t too epically moronic when things go wrong. I mean, I was expecting the angst to be stretched out, and was incredibly grateful when it wasn’t. Sometimes it’s nice to have a good, simple read with a wonderful, happy ending.

Image source: Goodreads