The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe

THE REBOUND PLAY is the unrequited love, second chance trope I enjoy reading. There is a nice balance of hockey and romance but I was confused about how Dan would be sent to play on a charity team with an injury that was mostly healed while his NHL team was playing.

The book is fairly typical for a small town, former high school sweethearts story. There was a little bit of conflict and angst, but nothing that lasted long. By reading an advance of the book, I am able to provide the opinion that it is a good “sweet” sports romance that will be good to read if you are looking for something that won’t take much time.

The Back Up Princess by Kate O’Keeffe

A Texas factory worker finding out she’s the heir to the throne in a small European principality is the entertaining premise of THE BACKUP PRINCESS. Maddie is funny, effervescent and the least likely to be a princess.  But it turns out she is. Prince Alexander is a playboy prince and next in line to the throne on his country.

They start out with misunderstandings, weather family pressures, navigate royal requirements, and slowly give in to their attraction for one another.

Faking It With The Guy Next Door by Kate O’ Keeffe

FAKING IT WITH THE GUY NEXT DOOR is not a quirky small down neighbor story like I thought.  It is a big city guy, small town girl business rival story and it took me a little while to warm up to Oliver and Marlowe as a couple.  Individually, I loved their characters, but Oliver started out as the big corporate giant drying to drive out the small local business - and he had to rub it in. Marlowe was too nice by not saying what she should have said.

But hang on, because as things start to gel, a whole different set of pressures arise beyond small town matchmaking and gossiping town folk.  We see Marlowe and Oliver’s true colors as people, not business owners, come through and I enjoyed the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Faking It With The Grump by Kate O’Keefe

I really enjoyed this book.  As a fake relationship trope it had some unique features.  First is Harper’s break up with actor Dex that goes viral.  Then Harper returns to their hometown where Dex is the favorite son and she is the sad, dumped ex-girlfriend that everyone views as fresh matchmaking meat.

Christopher is the grump.  He is so strait laced and particular that it is surprising that he agrees to the fake relationship.  But as the story progresses in FAKING IT WITH THE GRUMP, his mission in town takes on a different light, and Christopher has big decisions to make.

The ending was great and I would read the other upcoming books in the series.  I am providing this voluntary review after reading an advance copy of the book.

Never Fall For Your One That Got Away by Kate O’Keeffe

NEVER FALL FOR YOUR ONE THAT GOT AWAY is a second chance romance that I was still not entirely sure would work out through most of the story.  It felt like I was always waiting for the next disappointing thing to happen to Tabitha, or waiting for another shoe to drop on Tabitha and Noah’s reunion.

So the tension all around rests squarely in the shoulders of newly reformed party girl Tabitha who is reaching 30 but quite possibly has yet to grow up.  We get a lot of Tabitha’s story and what she’s been doing while going aimlessly through life after Noah.

We learn that Noah was and still is a great guy.  I wish we could have learned a little more about what was in his mind over the dozen years after their break up.  Was one of his past lives going to show up?  Did he have some other deeply mysterious secrets?

I found several parts of the story funny and I don’t think this was my favorite book in the series, but I was so glad Tabitha finally got her HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Never Fall For Your Fake Fiancé by Kate O’Keeffe

This very British romance is filled with “dad” jokes and other quirky happenings that make it an enjoyable, light story in addition to a swoony and sweet romance.

James is the consummate gentleman and Lottie the everyday lady who find they have mutual benefit in being fake engaged to one another.  James gets to look like a more settled politician for a possible race for Mayor of London.  Lottie hopes to first stop her mother’s incessant string of blind dates and second, look more appealing to the guy she has a real crush on.

Well as it happens with lying, the story, events and emotions get complicated making for a romance that has you rooting for the sweetest man ever - James to be enough for Lottie to see through the kind of guy her crush really is.  It’s a lot of fun to read.

Never Fall For Your Enemy (especially at Christmas) by Kate O’Keeffe

Charlie and Kennedy first meet on a blind date.  Kennedy decides Charlie acts like the ex that cast her aside for someone more suitable.  Their paths keep crossing and with the help of the neighbors in their building, they spend more time together and Kennedy realizes how wrong she was about him - until she becomes a casualty of his commitment to his job.

This story has a gaggle of nosy neighbors, the adorable dog, well meaning friends with well meaning advice, and Kennedy who has always felt the sting of feeling inadequate for someone as accustomed to wealth and privilege as Charlie.

I loved the warmth in this story, the characters and the ending.  

Never Fall For Your Backup Guy by Kate O’Keeffe

Zara friend zoned Asher early in their relationship when he had moved to England from San Diego.  NEVER FALL FOR YOUR BACK-UP GUY is a friends to lovers romance with a puppy and an interesting twist.

Zara is fretting over turning thirty so she enlists Asher to be her back up guy if neither of them are married by the time they are 35.  She goes through several trying events and Asher is always there to support her.  A lot of the story revolves around Zara getting a puppy and the puppy’s antics, training, and becoming her “shop dog” to help her business.

As always, Kate O’Keeffe’s writing is top tier with witty banter, Britishisms, and memorable characters.  I thought the story fell a short in the romance department.  I didn’t really feel a strong connection between Asher and Zara.  There are plenty of good things to read in this story, so please do.

Falling for Mr. Bingley by Kate O’Keeffe

I enjoyed the original story Dating Mr. Darcy and it is clever thinking this story was going on at the same time.

You will enjoy this sweet, and sigh inducing romantic story about the contestant that didn’t pursue the bachelor she was supposed to.  You learn a lot about her in how she deals with the other contestants.

Johnny turns out to be as swoon worthy as “Mr. Darcy”.  He’s the announcer in the show so you must be wondering how they could fall in love with all those cameras and microphones around.  Read this novella to see.

Marrying Mr. Darcy by Kate O’Keeffe

I really enjoyed the first book in this series do I was glad to see MARRYING MR DARCY was a continuation of that story although you can read it as a stand alone.

What I loved about Sebastian was that except in cases where he stood up for Emma or was being protective of her, he would not give in to any of the drama being created by the people around him.  His focus was singular - he loved Emma.

Emma was bombarded with all sorts of challenges and she wanted desperately to fit into Sebastian’s world with everyone around her giving her different advice or creating different drama.  She was losing herself to the pressures of everyone else’s expectations.

I felt teary when Emma was teary.  I felt for her and Sebastian trying to make their lives with everyone interfering according to their own agenda.

I recommend this book as light reading and something that will tug at your heartstrings.

Manhattan Cinderella by Kate O’Keefe

The Cinderella elements are all here against the backdrop of a few pop stars and talented singers looking for a break,

Gabby and Cole have instant attraction even though they know she’s in New York and he’s in Tennessee.  So they agree to just have fun with no strings attached.

Cole is such a gentleman.  He’s sweet and caring and just suffered a huge blow family-wise.  Because of the circumstances surrounding that, misunderstandings ensue and the romance meets rocky times.

Gabby is a people person being taken advantage of by her stepmother and step sisters.  She plays their game to protect her younger sister showing her willingness to put her family first.

This was a good book although from personal taste it wasn’t the kind of music themed romance book I normally read.

Dating Mr. Darcy by Kate O’Keefe

Holy heart eyes.  I completely loved this book.  The entire reality dating show plot was done very well, but what makes this DATING MR. DARCY great is the heart stopping, sigh inducing romance.

I was totally immersed in this story.  Emma was so funny, and Sebastian so swoon worthy.  Why are you reading this when you could be reading DATING MR. DARCY?