Shock at the Sweetheart Ball by London Lovett [Review]

Shock at the Sweetheart Ball (Firefly Junction #20) by London Lovett
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 28, 2026

Firefly Junction Mystery
1. Death in the Park
2. Killer Bridal Party
3. Murder at the Inn
4. A Humbug Holiday
5. Calamity at the Carnival
6. Double Trouble
7. Havoc at Wildwood Manor
8. Fatal Feud
9. Trick or Trouble
10. A Crafty Killing
11. Death at the Museum
12. Murder at the Pumpkin Patch
13. Founders' Day Fiasco
14. Heat Wave Homicide
15. Terror at Thornbridge Hotel
16. Chocolate Festival Felony
17. Movie Night Madness
18. Figgy Pudding Disaster
19. Apple Cider Assault
20. Shock at the Sweetheart Ball - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Port Danby
1. Marigolds and Murder

London Lovett
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Firefly Junction residents are abuzz with excitement for the town’s annual Sweetheart Ball. Local reporter Sunni Taylor is both covering the story and looking forward to attending the dance with her own sweetheart, Detective Brady Jackson. Ruby Orson, a member of the city council and a local interior decorator, is in charge of this year’s event, and she’s been gathering a flurry of enemies along the way. When Ruby winds up dead, Sunni switches gears on her story. Instead of covering the event, she needs to find a killer. But Ruby has so many enemies, it’s hard to narrow down the suspect list.

In the meantime, so much is happening in Sunni’s personal life, she hardly knows which way to turn. The murder is important but not nearly as stunning and life-changing as the things happening back at home. It seems Sunni Taylor is about to start a very new chapter in her career and life.

Thoughts on Shock at the Sweetheart Ball: I will admit to having a love/hate relationship with the end of a series. I hate to see a series end when I've enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed this one, but I do love when all those loose ends get tied up. Not that there were a TON of loose ends here, but we got resolution on THINGS and YESSSS!

First off, Sunni is doing her thing and helping investigate an unexpected death. To be fair, the death might not have been THAT unexpected since the person who met their untimely end was kind of horrible. In every way. Which means there were a fair amount of suspects. While Jax is doing his official investigating, he and Sunni are comparing notes and sliding potential clues at one another for follow-up. Which is cute. Because the couple who sleuths together and all that.

That said, Sunni and Jax did hit a bit of a bump in their relationship. Of the "are things going to move forward" variety. Jax has some hang ups about Edward's presence. Sunni is a little miffed that the thought of them taking the next step seems to spook Jax. It's something they both have to deal with and they do. Eventually.

A little mysticism, a long-awaited meeting, some relationship shenanigans, and a really sweet ending. Like I said, I'm sad to say goodbye, but I'm happy with how everything turned out.

RtP's Week in Review (05/24/26)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez [Review] - A Valentine's mix-up!
• Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne [Review] - Galentine's shenanigans!
• Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory [Review] - A Valentine's earthquake!
• With Any Luck by Ashley Poston [Review] - Bachelorette party shenanigans!
• Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson [Review] - Royal shenanigans!
• Maid for the Goblin King by H.C. Summer [Review] - Goblin love!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• None!
• Currently reading
• White Hot by Ilona Andrews

Maid for the Goblin King by H.C. Summer [Review]

Maid for the Goblin King by H.C. Summer
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 26, 2026

Purchase Links: Kindle

H.C. Summer
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I ran to escape a husband I didn't choose, taking up work among goblins. But I certainly never expected to fall to my knees for a monster.

King Rhazin is massive and merciless, his voice commanding obedience while his eyes promise ruin. The second they find me, I know he doesn't just want my service, but my surrender too.
I should run.
I should beg for mercy.
But when his claws find me and lay claim to me with wicked promises, I don't know how much longer I can resist.

Thoughts on Maid for the Goblin King: I'm not going to lie, I picked this one up for the cover because I have a weakness for muscley monsters. It was pretty much exactly what I was expecting in that is had a muscled goblin king tangling the sheets (although possibly no sheets were actually tangled. The bathroom tile was shown a good time, though) with a sweet human lady.

Rhazin is commanding, doesn't mind PDAs, and enjoys making Judith speechless. Judith is trying to keep her head down and do a good job in the goblin stronghold so she doesn't get sent away where she might end up back with her parents who are trying to marry her off to someone she is NOT interested in. As it turns out, the type she is interested in is a growly king who is very much a giver.

Short, nicely naughty, and with a whole lot of muscles on display.

Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson [Review]

Royal Valentine (The Improbable Meet-Cute #6) by Sariah Wilson
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 26, 2026

The Improbable Meet-Cute
1. The Exception to the Rule
2. Worst Wingman Ever
3. Rosie and the Dreamboat
4. Drop, Cover, and Hold On
5. With Any Luck
6. Royal Valentine - Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances
1. Accidentally Yours

Sariah Wilson
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Princess Ilaria has had it up to her tiara with the paparazzi, her own wild reputation, and the public eye. Trading places with her assistant, Ilaria wants just one blissfully ordinary weekend. Then a handsome photographer with a sexy Scottish burr offers to be her guide. Sparks fly, but how long can they last? Ilaria’s secret has to come out—and it could ruin a perfectly serendipitous romance.

Thoughts on Royal Valentine: Wanting to spend a few days doing all the normal touristy things a tourist might do, Ilaria convinces her assistant to swap places with her. Accidentally drugging herself and passing out wasn't on Ilaria's bingo card, but then neither was getting rescued (although she doesn't remember that part) by a sexy Scottish photographer.

As it turns out, spending time as a tourist is incredibly fun when you have a hunky tour guide and nobody knows you're a princess. Sure, Ilaria might be holding onto a bit of a secret, but sexy Callum might have a secret or two of his own. So it's all fair, RIGHT?

Fun, quick, and I really like the callback to book 1. *thumbs up*

With Any Luck by Ashley Poston [Review]

With Any Luck (The Improbable Meet-Cute #5) by Ashley Poston
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 26, 2026

The Improbable Meet-Cute
1. The Exception to the Rule
2. Worst Wingman Ever
3. Rosie and the Dreamboat
4. Drop, Cover, and Hold On
5. With Any Luck - Kindle
6. Royal Valentine

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances
1. Accidentally Yours

Ashley Poston
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Audrey Love is cursed to be the person before you find your soulmate, the girl you dump for your true love. So when her best friend disappears hours before his Valentine’s Day wedding, Audrey fears that she did the unthinkable and kissed him at last night’s bachelor party. With help from the best man, she retraces her steps to find the missing groom and, with any luck, a true love of her own.

Thoughts on With Any Luck: The entire Love family is great at helping others find their true love (with the help of a kiss), but not so great at find solid relationships for themselves. So when Audrey's BFF goes missing the day of his wedding, Audrey thinks the worst. She kissed him and he left his fiancée at the altar.

Seeing at parts of the bachelor party are a bit of a blur and she can't *exactly* remember everything that happened, her fears might be founded.

Enter the bride's maid of honor. Who happens to be a guy that Audrey doesn't quite get along with. As they search for the missing groom, Audrey comes to see that maybe she and Theo aren't as different as she thought. And mayyyybe she needs to step outside her a comfort zone a little while also holding onto the superstition that her kiss helps others find their true love.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory [Review]

Drop, Cover, and Hold On (The Improbable Meet-Cute #4) by Jasmine Guillory
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 25, 2026

The Improbable Meet-Cute
1. The Exception to the Rule
2. Worst Wingman Ever
3. Rosie and the Dreamboat
4. Drop, Cover, and Hold On - Kindle
5. With Any Luck
6. Royal Valentine

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances
1. Accidentally Yours

Jasmine Guillory
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

This Valentine’s Day, Daisy Murray has her heart set on binge-watching rom-coms. Instead, an earthquake traps her inside a bakery with its impossibly rude and insufferably handsome owner and head baker. They already have a history: she’s always smiled, he’s always scowled. Where better to finally get to know each other than amid the disaster? Then again, they have no choice. Besides, it could have its sweet, undeniable, and unpredictable perks.

Thoughts on Drop, Cover, and Hold On: A scowly bakery shop owner and the perpetually sunny woman who just can't help but love his creations are up next and BOY do Daisy and Harris have a few things they need to work out. Namely that Harris's scowls aren't indicative of his feelings. As it turns out, Daisy thinks he hates her because of his resting murder face and that's FAR from the truth.

Fortunately for  both of them, Daisy decides to treat herself on V-Day and walks into Harris's bakery moments before an earthquake hits and traps them inside. Being forced to be around one another leads to some truths coming out. Truths such as Harris is always delighted to see her (his face just doesn't show it) and those extra pastries he always slips into her bag aren't because he can't count. Yup, our guy is wooing her with pastries. GLORIOUS!

One heart to heart later, a kiss or two in full view of anybody who might have walked by, and some decadent treats and these two are hitting all the right notes. *thumbs up*

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne [Review]

Rosie and the Dreamboat (The Improbable Meet-Cute #3) by Sally Thorne
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 25, 2026

The Improbable Meet-Cute
1. The Exception to the Rule
2. Worst Wingman Ever
3. Rosie and the Dreamboat - Kindle
4. Drop, Cover, and Hold On
5. With Any Luck
6. Royal Valentine

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
The Improbable Meet-Cute: Second Chances
1. Accidentally Yours

Sally Thorne
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Rosie Whittaker and her sister are up for some Galentine’s pampering at a day spa. Getting locked inside a flotation tank is so Rosie. Enter a firefighter hero determined to pry this luckless pearl out of her high-tech shell. All Rosie has to go on is a dreamy voice and a flirty sense of humor. Remain calm, Rosie. This could be what you’ve been waiting for. Is this the man she’s waited for her whole life?

Thoughts on Rosie and the Dreamboat: Rosie's the type of person where if something's going to happen, it's going to happen to her. She seems to take it all in stride and can crack jokes about the things with the best of them, but it also sort of wears on her. As in, she knows she's going to be the one who has to deal with SOMETHING and that makes her fall short in her mind when she compares herself to her sister.

So when she gets trapped in an isolation tank when treating her sister to a spa day...well, she's not surprised. I mean, she is surprised, because no one expects to get trapped in an isolation tank. But if it was going to happen to someone, it was going to happen to her. She also happens to have forgotten her bathing suit, so she's naked in the tank. Naked. And firefighters are going to have to pry her out.

YIKES!

On the up side, the firefighter who's keeping her company (from the outside of the tank) during all this is funny, sweet, and has a laugh that makes her see colors. He likes her quippy banter, can give back the quips like a champ, and seems ready to take on anyone who's wronged her.

Meeting someone while trapped naked in an isolation tank doesn't seem like a path most would take, but it works for Rosie.