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Audrey | Closed Door Book Reviews

@areadingmama12

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Book reviews from a Biblical worldview
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New look!

Find out a little bit about me in this section. by @areadingmama12

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3 months ago

New Look! by @areadingmama12

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3 months ago

New look!

Find out about what I read in this section. by @areadingmama12

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3 months ago

This is such a fun challenge to do with your friends! by @areadingmama12

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4 days ago

Love Beyond the Diamond by @lauralangawrites

There’s nothing like a marriage of convenience book where the chemistry is there from the start!

And why not start it off with a kidna— er, rescuing. But a mafia boss. Or so Willow jokes. Seriously, I love how many different occupations she came up with for Shane. And of course the “sportsball” name. Even after she learned about baseball she kept it up just to make Shane smile.

Which brings up another favorite part of this book. The way Willow just wormed her way into Shane’s heart. The way she’s the one to make him smile and come alive. And how he in turn wants to do anything and everything for her.

I really loved that there wasn’t a third act breakup, the chemistry was there for the start, the way Willow stood up for Shane and also showed him all the best parts of life.

This book is perfect for baseball fans, those who love marriage of convenience, forced proximity, grump sunshine, and only one bed!

Huge thanks to Laura, for my gifted copy, and to @bookedwiththeemilys for the chance to be on the tour!

#closeddoorromance #baseballromance #grumpysunshine #lauralanga

Keywords: closed door romance | baseball romance | T1d | artist | marriage of convenience | only one bed by @areadingmama12

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6 days ago

The Faithful Cowboy by @jodyhedlund

Jameson and Lottie’s story just might be my favorite of this series so far!

One of my favorite elements, children, was present, and this boys were so adorable! And the way they asked Jameson to be their dad 🫠🫠

Jameson and Lottie experience so much growth throughout their story. Though Lottie has a good support group with Enrique and Mimmi, there’s always room for one more— as long as he’s loyal and faithful.

Their story is filled with surprises along with a few twists and turns. But in the end the importance of family, forgiveness, and faithfulness overcomes all issues!

Big thanks to Jody for my ARC copy!

#cowboyromance #closeddoorromance #jodyhedlund #historicalromance

Keywords: cowboy romance | closed door romance | widow | forced proximity | historical romance by @areadingmama12

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18 days ago

Fall Fake-Out by @authorkortneykeisel

What should I start with??? The beets—which I figured out immediately. Or the banter? Or maybe the fact that the slow burn is so slow that I wanted to reach into the book and smash Wade and Ari’s lips together a few times? 🤣🤣

For real though, the burn is super slow, but the tension and chemistry is delicious! Not to mention that the banter was bantering superbly! Seriously, so far in this series I would list Ari and Wade as my favorites in the banter category.

I loved that there was a smidgen of a second chance to their story, with that underlying I’ve-always-wanted-you thread running through their relationship.

There was a lot that both characters had to unpack, a history with their families that they had to deal with, and of course some outside influences like crazy high school girls 🤪🤭 but they overcame it all, and got their HEA in the end!

If you’re looking for a swoony romance with all the chemistry but no spice, along with autumn vibes, forced proximity, along with a side of fake dating, look no further!

Thank you, Kortney, for my ARC copy! Looking forward to putting this one on my shelf!

#closeddoorromance #autumnridge #fakedating #forcedproximity #fallromance

Keywords: closed door romance | Kortney Keisel | Autumn Ridge | Falling For Autumn | fake dating | forced proximity | small town by @areadingmama12

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a month ago

The Bodyguard’s Fall by @authorcindysteel

Gahhhh!!! What do I even say for this one!? It was sooo good! I need Cindy to write more mysteries into her books! I had my guesses as to how Leroy was getting info, and his connections to Liv. And yes, I was right 😏🤭

Tate and Liv are amazing, and just like every other Cindy Steel story the chemistry is amazing, the writing is the perfect blend of dialogue and background artistry.

As someone who has lived in Burlington, VT, and spent tiny vacations in adorable cabins in small VT towns I could see the whole story in my mind. And it made me a little homesick.

Even though we didn’t technically get Tate’s POV, the text exchanged between him and Will at the beginning of the chapters was the perfect glimpse into his thoughts. I loved his care for Liv, and the way she grew and overcame her past.

I must refute Liv on one point — she tells Tate, “you can’t tell a woman you barely tolerate her when you ask her to marry you.” Oh, yes you can 🤭 and Colin Firth did an excellent job of it when he played Darcy. That line had me giggling—good choice, Cindy!

If you’re looking for a cozy book with autumn vibes, swoony closed door romance with few swears, you’ll want this one!

#closeddoorromance #autumnridge #fallingforautumn #cindysteel

Keywords: closed door romance | bodyguard romance | brothers best friend | Vermont | cozy romance | mystery by @areadingmama12

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a month ago

Don’t Fool Yourself by Genny Carrick

You can’t help but love Reed and Rose! The chemistry is perfection, and the grumpy sunshine trope just glows!!

This is a book that will have you giggling, and maybe sniffling a little bit as you watch the characters grow. And their growth arcs are simply amazing. I loved how Rose learned to be herself, to say no (most specifically to her parents) and the way Reed was able to find his spot in her life, and his spot in the world.

For my Christian friends: the book mentions being fade-to-black at the beginning. But I didn’t find a fade, though sex does seem to be implied towards the end of the book with mentions of “having Rose all night.” There’s also some characters living life contrary to God’s design, and general support for the alphabet community.

#closeddoorromance #gennycarrick #sunshine #grumpysunshine

Keywords: closed door romance | grumpy sunshine | workplace romance | fake dating by @areadingmama12

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a month ago

Here We Go Again by @jennyproctorbooks

If someone were to ever create a machine that could turn book characters into real life people, I’d have them start with Theo and Becca. Because the men of this world could stand to take some lessons from Theo. And I’m pretty sure some of us women need a Becca in our life.

I was hooked from the first page — forget housework, homeschooling, breathing, sleeping, eating. I needed to know what happened next.

The characters are so real, so relatable. They aren’t perfect. They make mistakes, but they learn and grow from them — giving us a renewed outlook and helping us see our mistakes in the same light.

Becca mentioned falling in love again, but also the fact that it was new and old at the same time. Which is my favorite part of a second chance romance.

The whole cast of this book is the bomb. From the meddling mothers to the brother and friend support groups. One thing I’ve noticed a lot in Jenny’s books is children, and if you know me at all, children are my favorite. So having Carter’s nieces show up was the cherry on top.

It was all just so perfect!

Biggest thanks ever to Jenny, and @bookedwiththeemilys for my ARC copy!

If you’re in the mood for a second chance romance with sizzling kisses, little to no swearing, with the best growth arcs, then you’ll want to read this one!

#closeddoorromance #secondchanceromance #jennyproctor #hockeyromance

Keywords: closed door romance | second chance | falling in love | nurse | hockey | Jenny Proctor by @areadingmama12

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2 months ago

I Wish He Would by @authoramandaschimmoeller

Alyssa and Austin. Even their names are a perfect fit! So why wouldn’t they belong together!?

I’m a sucker for a baseball romcom, and I’ve never picked up a book by Amanda that I didn’t like. And this one, was just adorable! As always, Amanda’s MMC is the greenest of green flags, and the way he treats the FMC just hits you in the feels! 🫠

I love their friend groups, and the support they both had. And of course, the way they met—perfection! Watching Austin stick up for Alyssa in front of the cousin, was the best. I meant, Austin is just the best! Sweet, caring, baseball player… he can’t get any better!

It’s been a blast to watch all of the long live girlies find their happily ever afters—I just need one for Tess now. And maybe all of the single guys on Austin’s team 🤭

If you want a swoony closed door romance with the greenest of green flags for an MMC, and some baseball, and some best friends to lovers, look no further!

Thank you for my copy, Amanda! It’s always a pleasure to be an ARC reader for you!

#closeddoorromance #bestfriendstolovers #baseballromance #amandaschimmoeller

Keywords: closed door romance | best friends | baseball romance | Amanda Schimmoeller by @areadingmama12

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3

2 months ago

The Sheriff’s Captive by @author_sara_v

I wondered how Sara would make this work. Making the FMC the “criminal” and having the sheriff fall for her! And she did it superbly!

Catalina is adorable, and hilarious, and flirty, and she’s strong. And creative too. She played Levi so good, but she couldn’t stop herself from falling for him, which I absolutely loved watching. Levi is a big old teddy bear, and no one can prove me wrong 🤭 I mean, he took her to his family’s ranch to protect her. Teddy Bear.

Sara threw some twists in that I didn’t see coming, and in the end the Sheriff got the bad guy, and the girl 😉

If you’re in the mood for a western historical, with some suspense, and a flirty prisoner, look no further!

Thank you for my ARC, Sara!

#closeddoorromance #westernromance #historical

Keywords: closed door romance | western | historical | forbidden romance | protective hero by @areadingmama12

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2 months ago