Release Day Review: 7 Steps to Seducing Your Fake Fiancé (Bower Boys #5) by Kelly Siskind

7 Steps to Seducing Your Fake Fiancé

(Bower Boys, Book 5)
COMING NOV. 15TH

What's worse than being fake engaged to a woman who despises you? Falling head over heels for her.

Larkin Gray hates me with the fire of ten thousand suns.

We haven’t seen each other in twelve years, but she’s still furious with me for breaking a promise to her…and she’s even prettier than I remember.

But there’s no undoing the damage I caused.

Since I can’t make amends, I avoid her lethal glare at all costs. Until I stumble upon her lying about having a fiancé to her ex, and I lose my ever-loving mind. Suddenly, I’m introducing myself as her betrothed and getting us invited to his wedding.

Predictably, Larkin is intent on making my life miserable, except this barbed banter is kind of fun. And the more time we spend together, the more we discover we have in common.

Then she kisses me to prove our relationship status and I damn near lose my heart.

I’m ready to go all in with Larkin, but she’s not the only one I hurt twelve years ago. Her intimidating brother has every reason to hate me too and doesn’t want me touching his sister. But my lips and tongue don’t count as hands. Right?

Trigger warning: Physical and emotional abuse. 

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 What I thought about 7 Steps to Seducing your Fake Fiancé

Wow!  This was a series that I started on a whim, just because I liked that 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover cover and I must say that I haven't regretted a single moment reading this wonderful series. It is really terrific as it chronicles the five Bower brothers and their quest to recapture the lives they lost when they were thrown into witness protection years ago.  They all left people behind, and this story deals with Jake and Larkin. 

What starts out as a possible friendship turns ugly when Jake breaks his promise to Larkin, so he has a lot to make up for in this story and Larkin isn't going to make it easy for him!  But the more time they spend together, they both find their feelings changing.  They share a need to protect which drove this story.  I loved the banter between these two!  This is a story of falling in love in spite of previous hurts and I loved that about it.  It's the best part of romance -- the falling! 

Jake also has to make amends to Larkin's brother, who isn't exactly open to any reconciliation. I felt for Jake here because he is not intentionally hurtful. There's alot about dealing with past mistakes in this book and in this series in general, and I liked that theme.  Sometimes you just have to move forward, instead of back and that is clear in this romance.

The Bower boys are part of Jake's story as well, and he gets the support he needs from them, which helped to wrap up this series in a very pleasing way.  This is one of my favorites this year. Every book is entertaining, and Jake and Larkin are no exception. 

 

AUTHOR BIO

Kelly Siskind lives in charming northern Ontario. When she’s not out hiking or skiing, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She loves singing while driving, looks awful in yellow, and is known for spilling wine at parties. Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at www.kellysiskind.com and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books. And connect with her on Twitter and Instagram (@kellysiskind) or on Facebook (@authorkellysiskind).

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Release Day Review: 4 Hints You Love Your Best Friend (Bower Boys #4) by Kelly Siskind

I am NOT in love with my brother's ex.

We're just temporary roommates.

Jolene Daniels is my best friend. Sorry…was. She was my best friend a lifetime and ten years of witness protection ago. Now that I’ve returned to my hometown, Jolene and I are once again hanging out.

As friends.

I do not fantasize about the time we fell asleep in the tree house we built, and I woke up with her tucked against my aching chest. I don’t replay the days we raced through the woods, nothing but carefree adventure and laughter filling the air.

Nope. We’re just old pals, and I’m thrilled to have her back in my life. Of course, I notice how stunning she is, but it’s fine.

Until her apartment floods and she temporarily moves into my place. In the room beside mine. Nothing but a thin wall between us. She also walks around in flimsy tank tops. Zero bra.

Did I mention she’s my brother’s ex and he’s looking to rekindle their romance?

Good thing Jolene Daniels and I are nothing but the best of friends.

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What I thought about
4 Hints You Love Your Best Friend

 

I've been loving this Bower Boys series from Kelly Siskind and have been waiting patiently for all the brothers to get their HEA now that they are out of witness protection.  In 4 Hints You Love Your Best Friend, brother Cal needs to resolve his feelings for his long-time childhood friend Jolene.  

There's plenty of bro-code stuff happening in this story. Prior to witness protection, Cal and Jolene were best friends, hanging out together.  Cal already has deeper feelings for Jolene, but when his brother Jake shows interest in dating her, he doesn't stop his brother and that's his first mistake.

Fast forward to post-witness protection, and there's tension between Cal and Jolene. Some of that comes from a situation that developed right before they were whisked off to witness protection so there are some unresolved conflicts here.  But Cal still has deep feelings for Jolene, and to make amends for something he thought he did, he tries again to put Jolene and Jake back together. That's a big mistake for Cal, since he really has deep feelings for Jolene.  

When Jolene's apartment floods and she needs a place to stay, she ends up in Cal's apartment.  Is that a mistake?  Maybe and maybe not.  The close proximity situation helps everyone's feelings bubble to the top and there's a whole lot of drama going on!

Cal is really a sweet character.  He's a big fixer of others problems which at times is endearing and sometimes manipulative.  It does come from a good place and he has a huge heart for his family and friends that sometimes gets him in trouble.

As details of that last night before witness protection come out, there's many revelations about what really happened that night that helps to put Cal and Jolene where they need to be -- and that's in each other's arms.

I just love this series and I'm finding I can't get enough of these Bower Boys! 

 

AUTHOR BIO

Kelly Siskind lives in charming northern Ontario. When she’s not out hiking or skiing, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She loves singing while driving, looks awful in yellow, and is known for spilling wine at parties. Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at www.kellysiskind.com and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books. And connect with her on Twitter and Instagram (@kellysiskind) or on Facebook (@authorkellysiskind).

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Release Blitz & Review: 6 Clues Your Nemesis Loves You (Bower Boys #3) by Kelly Siskind

 

Title: 6 Clues Your Nemesis Loves You

Series: Bower Boys #3

Author: Kelly Siskind

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Tropes: Enemies to Friends to Lovers/Second Chance

Release Date: May 3, 2023

BLURB

Eleven years ago, he hurt her.

Now he plans to prove they’re meant to be…

In high school, Maggie Edelstein set the rules of our secret relationship, but I’m calling the shots now. In my dreams.

Maggie’s still infuriating and confusing, and absolutely stunning. She’s also still pretending we barely spent time together as teens, when we met up nightly at her family’s pond.

Over a decade later, I’m back in my hometown and some things haven’t changed. My chemistry with Maggie is once again hotter than a four-alarm fire, and she’s intent on denying it. I don’t blame her. The last night we saw each other I made a horrible mistake and hurt her, then I vanished into witness protection for ten years.

But there’s something else going on with her.

I recognize a secret when I see one, and her friends say she doesn’t do commitment. If I can get her to forgive me and open up, maybe she’ll break her rules and give us a second chance. Or she’ll light my heart on fire and dance around the flames…

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What I thought about 6 Clues Your Nemesis Loves You

I've really been loving this series about four brothers who emerge from witness protection to reclaim their old lives. They are lots of fun and have just the right amount of spice and everything else to make them really fun to read.  6 Clues Your Nemesis Loves You is book 3 in the series. 

Let's start with the covers.  I probably wouldn't have looked this series if the first cover hadn't hooked me and this cover is no exception. There's something about the covers that lured me in and it's been a great ride through all three books so far in the series.

Lennon is the guy hiding his past hurts and emotions through humor.  There's some great banter here, not just between him and Maggie but between the brothers as well.  That's one good reason to really like this story.

Maggie and Lennon are former secret friends with secrets of their own that bring a few surprises to the story.   They are going to have to figure themselves out if they are going to have a relationship, and I like that about second-chance stories.  There are always consequences to actions and Lennon and Maggie have to figure out what it all means.

So another five star read for me.  I'm just loving this series.  Told in the male POV, there's a great blend of maleness and feelings that just feels true and real to me. This series has been one of the most enjoyable romance series I've read  in the last year. Definitely a winner. 

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO

Only $1.99 for a limited time

(US only)

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO

COMING SOON

Releasing September 6

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL

AUTHOR BIO

Kelly Siskind lives in charming northern Ontario. When she’s not out hiking or skiing, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head. She loves singing while driving, looks awful in yellow, and is known for spilling wine at parties. Sign up for Kelly’s newsletter at www.kellysiskind.com and never miss a giveaway, a free bonus scene, or the latest news on her books. And connect with her on Twitter and Instagram (@kellysiskind) or on Facebook (@authorkellysiskind).

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ARC Review: 10 Signs You Need to Grovel (Bower Boys #2) by Kelly Siskind

  

For the last ten years, I’ve been living a lie in witness protection. But the drug cartel that put me there isn’t a threat anymore, so I can have my life back. I should be thrilled, right?

Wrong.

The last thing I want to do is go back home and show everyone how far I’ve fallen. I’m not the high-powered lawyer they all expect me to be. I’m just a guy who slings drinks and scowls at the world.

But then I hear about Max, my ex’s ten-year-old son. My ten-year-old son.

I have to go back now. Figure out how to be a dad. Face the love of my life. Make things right with Sadie and earn her trust. Will she have me—or is it too late to reinvent myself as the man she once loved?

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 Available January 31, 2023! 

What I thought about 10 Signs You Need To Grovel

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one!  I'm really loving this series about brothers trying to reclaim their lives after a long time in witness protection. They lost so much and the HEA's are just that much more satisfying because of it.

10 Signs You Need to Grovel is Desmond's book.  He's the very grumpy brother from the first book and his hurts are front and center.  When he finds out he has a son he didn't know about because of witness protection, everyone knows it's not going to be an easy ride.

I loved Des's attitude toward these revelations and his slow return to the living. His family is there to support him all the way.  There's lots of emotion here, and there's a scene early on between Des and  his mother that had me leaking all over the place. 

All is not easy-peasy for him, though.  His former girlfriend and now mother of his child is justifiably hesitant with introducing her son to his father, and she's protecting her own heart as well.  But what complicates things is that Sadie has built a life for herself that is at risk the closer she gets to  Desmond. While I wasn't a fan of some of the things that are fibbed about here, I got it.

What I really like about this series is that it is written entirely in the male point of view.  It's Desmond's journey back and I love that about this series.  It's emotional, often sweet and heart-warming and even angry.  Although I expected a little more anger from Des, I did like that it didn't take him long to figure out what was really important. It's an absolutely wonderful HEA.

I'm just loving this series.  It's been some time since I've actually stalked an ARC on Netgalley, I just can't get enough of the Bower brothers.  Really great romantic series so far.

 

About the Author

Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Kelly moved from the city to enjoy the charm of northern Ontario. When she’s not out hiking or home devouring books, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head.

Her novels have been published internationally.

Website
https://www.kellysiskind.com/

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5 Stars for 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover (Bower Boys #1) by Kelly Siskind

 

 

From Kelly Siskind comes a slow-burn romantic comedy about one man’s creative attempt to win back his high school sweetheart after a change in fortune gives them a second chance at love.

Growing up, I had it all—my art, close friends, a gorgeous girlfriend who owned my heart—but then my life exploded.

Turns out my father was laundering money, and my whole family got shoved into witness protection. No notice. No chance to explain. I was ripped away from beautiful, blue-eyed Delilah Moon, shattering both our worlds.

A decade later, fate has given us a second chance.

The cartel my father worked for has been wiped out. I’ve returned to my hometown, determined to win back the love of my life. But Delilah is engaged.

Or . . . is she?

I’m almost positive she’s lying about her fiancé to protect her heart. Which means I need to up my game.

I’ve made a list of fifty ways to prove we’re meant to be. Except Delilah’s barely looking at me, never mind swooning. I have a feeling my disappearance scarred her more than she’s admitting, and no one in town will tell me what happened . . .

 

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What I thought about 50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover

 

Wow!  I was totally blown away by this book. I wasn't expecting it.  I haven't read this author before, but this amazing cover kept coming up in my timelines and I just couldn't resist it.  That smile. That face. I just couldn't resist. I was expecting a rom-com, but this book is so much more than that. 

 

Edgar Bower, otherwise known to family and friends as "E" is yanked from his home and put into witness protection with the rest of his family, leaving behind his best friend and girl friend Delilah. Ten years later, he sees her at the airport and even though he shouldn't talk to her, he does, opening up all sorts of emotions for E. She runs from him.

He makes the decision to return to his hometown to pursue Delilah, coming up with a list of things he would do to win her back.  Only there are many things he doesn't know about Delilah's last ten years either, including an engagement and a different career than they had talked about before he left.  Oh, and the people in the town seem to hate him for what he did to Delilah.  He's got a lot of work to do.

I was expecting a cute rom-com, and there were some very cute moments, especially Candy Cane, which was such a lovely way to bring E and Delilah together.   What I hadn't expected, but absolutely loved about this story is E's soulful examination into his own motivations and actions and how they impact others. His yearning for Delilah is masterfully written, and I felt it all when I was reading this book.  The story is told from E's point of view and I thought that worked very well in understanding the toll paid by the Bower family for their years in witness protection.

The ending is heart-wrenching in an ultimately good way, although there are tears to be shed before things can be resolved.  I just loved this story from page one until the end. 

I'm totally hooked on this series now after reading this story and I can't wait for Desmond's story up next, which is set up quite nicely in this book.  It's always wonderful to find a new author in this manner and I'm really excited to read more from Kelly Siskind. 

 

About the Author

Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Kelly moved from the city to enjoy the charm of northern Ontario. When she’s not out hiking or home devouring books, you can find her, notepad in hand, scribbling down one of the many plot bunnies bouncing around in her head.

Her novels have been published internationally.

Website
https://www.kellysiskind.com/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/authorKellySiskind

Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/kellysiskind/