November 10, 2017

REVIEW: The Love Experiment by Ainslie Paton

KaetrinB ReviewsChicago / Contemporary / grumpy hero / media / newspaper / social experiment9 Comments

Disclaimer: I’m friendly with the author online, we talk often on Twitter, and I’ve met her a few times. She’s the kind of author who wouldn’t stop speaking to me if I didn’t like her books and I’m comfortable giving my honest opinion (else I wouldn’t review her work) but, ... more >

April 18, 2017

REVIEW: The Thing About Love by Julie James

JayneB Reviews / Book ReviewsAgent/Spies/Undercover / Chicago / Contemporary / enemies to lovers / family relationships / FBI agents7 Comments

After spending six years in Los Angeles—and the last six months wondering how her marriage fell apart—FBI Special Agent Jessica Harlow is looking for a fresh start. When she finds out that the Chicago field office has an opening for an undercover agent, returning to her hometown seems like the ... more >

September 29, 2016

REVIEW: First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

JennieB Reviews CategoryChicago / Chicago Stars / football / Private-investigator10 Comments

Dear Ms. Phillips: My book log tells me I haven’t read one of your novels in a while – the last one I read was in 2010, Call Me Irresistible. I ended up giving it a B+ but noting in the log that it had some of the elements I ... more >

August 5, 2016

REVIEW: Next to You by Sandra Antonelli

JayneB Reviews / Book ReviewsChicago / Contemporary / estranged family / family relationships / mental illness / older couple7 Comments

A witty, quirky and unexpectedly moving story about cinema, secrets and a complicated love affair. A love of ‘70s bubblegum pop music isn’t the only unusual thing about William Murphy — being a six-foot-three albino also makes a guy stand out. Will’s life is simple and he likes it that ... more >

November 28, 2015

REVIEW: Steal Me by Lauren Layne

EagleB ReviewsChicago / Contemporary / law-enforcement5 Comments

Dear Ms. Layne: Yes, it’s another cop book. Furthermore, it’s another NYPD book but I must confess my creepy love (previous recipients of this dubious gift include Julie James, golden retrievers and potatoes) for one Lauren Layne. I haven’t read the previous books in the series because I know how to ... more >

July 20, 2015

REVIEW: The Runaway Daughter by Lauri Robinson

JayneB Reviews1920s / Chicago / Harlequin Undone / Historical4 Comments

From stowaway… After years of playing the local gin joint to pay off his father’s debts, talented musician Brock Ness has landed a radio gig in Chicago. Now he’s on the up-and-up, his next stop is securing the dame of his dreams, Ginger Nightingale… …to Chicago celebrity! If Brock is ... more >