Romance Roundup: July Edition

Welcome to “Romance Roundup”where I share mini reviews of  3-4 romance novels that I’ve read recently. This month’s edition includes stories about a dance teacher, a career woman who gets amnesia, and a woman on the run from danger!

*Note: I am so sorry that I haven’t posted any of this segment since March! I hadn’t been reading much romance, but hopefully I can get these romance reviews back on track! 🙂

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Love Will Always Remember (Shades of Love #3) by Tracey Livesay (2017)

Synopsis: After waking from a coma, Leighton Clarke can’t remember anything from the past six years. She’s stunned when her doctors inform her she has amnesia, something she didn’t think occurred outside of soap operas. Anxious and disoriented, the only person who elicits any feelings is Jonathan Moran, a gorgeous chef with compassionate brown eyes . . . who also happens to be her fiancé. 

Jonathan isn’t her fiancé. But when his estranged brother—her real husband-to-be—asks him to step in while he’s away in London, Jonathan doesn’t think he has a choice, especially after seeing how the previously aloof Leighton now responds to him. The more time they spend together, the more Jonathan begins to fall for his brother’s fiancé, until he’s wishing the pretense were reality.

When Leighton’s memories come flooding back, can she forgive the man she’s fallen in love with or will his lie ruin the only thing that feels true? (description from Goodreads)

Review: Love Will Always Remember is fun end to the Shades of Love trilogy. This one follows Leighton, who is a successful lobbyist with a drive for her work and career. She is about to get married, but is more interested in her fiance’s twin brother Jonathan, a laid back cook who has a restaurant business and a passion for life.

This book followed the typical “amnesia trope” found in many romance books but I enjoyed it even though it was predictable at times. I felt that the characters really mellowed each other out/complimented one another. The romance was also hot and steamy! I liked how Johnathan stepped up to help Leighton and take care of her and her vice versa. Out of the entire series this book is my second favorite.

Final Verdict:

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His Perfect Partner (Matched to Perfection #1) by Priscilla Oliveras (2017)

Synopsis: Ad executive Tomas Garcia shouldn’t even be thinking about his daughter’s alluring dance teacher, Yazmine Fernandez. Burned by a shattering divorce, he’s laser-focused on his career and giving his young daughter, Maria, the secure home she deserves. Plus, he’s certain that with her talent, Yaz will be leaving Chicago and heading back to Broadway as soon as she can. But Yaz’s generous spirit and caring concern are sparking a desire Tomas can’t resist and doesn’t want His Perfect Partnerto let go . . .

For Yaz, good-looking workaholics like Tomas simply can’t be part of her life ever again. She owes it to herself to get back her confidence and fulfill the dreams her papa could not. She’s glad to spend time with Maria and taste the family life she feels she can never have. And she’s sure that she and Tomas can keep their attraction under control because there’s so much at stake. But each unexpected intimacy, each self-revelation, makes the fire between them grow hotter with every step and every risk to their hearts . . . (description from Goodreads)

Review: His Perfect Partner is lovely story about  finding love and the bond family. The romance is on the sweet side with a few spicy moments thrown in here and there. I liked that it dealt with the topics of blended families and aging/ill parents. My heart went out to Yasmin and her family while reading this book. I knew it was hard for them to see their dad go from a vibrant man to a sick patient and they had to change their roles from daughters to caregivers.

I liked the growing attraction/relationship between the two leads, both were prejudiced against each other at first, but were able to let down their barriers. I definitely want to read the rest of the books in the series. Oliveras is a fantastic writer!

Final Verdict:

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A Rebel in Jericho (The Jericho Resistance #1) by Mimi Milan (2015)

Synopsis: After years of preparing for marriage, Catalina Santé is interested in little more than making a good match. And why not? She’s young, beautiful, educated… everything a wealthy man should want. However, a tragic accident will leave her with less than a marriage proposal – she’s fighting for her very life! 

Matthew Martin spends most of his time just trying to fit into American society. It’s one of the reasons he became a deputy. Willing to risk it all in order to protect Catalina, he can’t imagine what that entails… until she’s abducted and sold to a Mexican saloon, where a border battle rages between two towns. 

Can love and faith survive in such a harsh place? Will Matthew even be able to save Catalina? (description from Goodreads)

Review: Seeking something a little different with a historical vibe, I picked up A Rebel in Jericho from WOC in Romance’s website ( a great source if you are looking for diverse romance). Set in the 19th century, the main character Catalina has to leave home after a tragic accident occurs and she is wrongfully accused of a crime. Handsome deputy Matthew steps in to escort her along the way and make sure she reaches her destination safely.

Though the romance is tame and its more fiction heavy, I really enjoyed the book. The history behind the setting was interesting and I enjoyed all of the action and suspense in the story. Some of the sections of the book had me on edge! It has themes of heritage, family, faith woven into the narrative.I didn’t care for Catalina at first since she seemed snobbish and privileged, but I did grow to respect her after seeing overcome many obstacles and could be self-sufficient.

Trigger warning: mild violence

Final Verdict:

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What romance novels have you read lately? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. If you have any recommendations feel free (particularly #ownvoices novels) to share those as well. 🙂