Review: When I First Met You by Lori Foster

Author: Lori Foster
Publisher: MIRA
Publication Date: July 2026

When he stepped in to help out a city girl, no one expected a “pretend” rescue would lead to something real.

When Glory McCallahan’s cousin moved to Hoker, Kentucky, she felt like she’d lost her best friend. Then, Callie fell in love. To help with wedding arrangements, Glory joins her, but after, the plan is to get back to her perfectly ordered life. Glory has always played it safe, keeping her polished smile in place and her heart on lockdown. No way is she going to let the rugged, too-handsome younger brother of her cousin’s new husband mess with her plans. No matter how infuriating, irreverent, and impossible to ignore Kam may be.

Kam Norwood sees past Glory’s flawless surface, and when he notices she’s being accosted by a wedding guest, he gallantly steps in. What starts as a pretend rescue turns into a night of unexpected sparks. Kam’s not afraid of Glory’s sharp edges—or her secrets. So when the rejected guest turns out to be Glory’s angry ex and things escalate, Kam’s protective instincts kick in big-time.

Turns out, the sizzling attraction may be the one thing that can keep them both safe.

When I First Met You is the sequel to Let Me Be the One.  This is Kam and Glory's story.  I was really looking forward to reading their romance and I was not disappointed.  I really loved this story. It's adorable how Glory and Kam navigate falling for each other. We get to know Glory a lot more and find out that she is a lot different than she seemed in the first book.  She just wants to be accepted and part of a family.  That is what resonated so much with me in both of the books in this series...the theme of found family.  It is often the best kind of family.  

Kam, too, starts to realize that despite his origins, people in the town really respect him. That is another great theme in this book.  How we often have misconceptions about people, until we really get to know them.   I do have to say that my favorite character reversals is that of Liz later on in the book.  I won't spoil it, but it's a great scene!  If you haven't picked this one up yet or even the first book, what are you waiting for?

Cover Reveal: The Lighthouse by Terri Jo

 

Releasing August 20, 2026
 
Life in Fish Creek is everything Aggie ever hoped it would be. She's married to her childhood sweetheart, raising three wonderful children, and surrounded by the lifelong friends who've become family.

Then her mother's diagnosis changes everything.

As the woman who taught Aggie how to love, laugh, and weather life's storms begins losing pieces of herself, Aggie is thrust into the heartbreaking role of becoming her mother's caretaker. Caught between the needs of her family and the woman determined to hold on to her independence, Aggie is pulled in every direction, wondering how much one heart can carry before it breaks

.
When forgotten memories become dangerous and love alone is no longer enough, Aggie must make impossible choices—choices that could forever change the relationship she treasures most.

A deeply moving story about family, sacrifice, and the quiet courage it takes to let go while never giving up on the people we love.

Cover Designer: Hang Le 
 
Preorder your copy today!
Amazon US: https://bit.ly/44VrSMC       
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4aKULyC 

About the author:

Terrijo passion for all things books began back in junior high. A dedicated reader from the very beginning, she started writing in her early twenties. She has published six novels under a pen name and co-wrote two anthologies about Deadwood, South Dakota.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Terrijo lives in the Twin Cities her pint size Morkie, Zoey, who loves to make an appearance in her small-town women’s fiction.
She writes about genuine issues that many women face today, stories that not only entertain, but give hope, laughter and all the feelings in-between. When Terrijo is not hiding out in her writing cave, you can find her behind the chair of her hair salon in Stillwater, or out on the lakes sailing and dreaming up new plots to help her readers escape reality for an hour or two.
 
Connect with Terri Jo
Website | https://bit.ly/4bCGgwq   
Goodreads | https://bit.ly/40vpR7P   
Amazon | https://bit.ly/3QX8wU6 
Facebook | bit.ly/44WQ1nf      
Instagram |  www.instagram.com/terrijo_author  
 

June DNFs

Bloodlust:  I didn't know this was the second book in a series.  I think it does work fine as a stand alone.  My issue with the book and why I DNF'd it was the main character. Sorry but he was a major douchebag.  And it's 2026.  Why are we writing plots where women are attracted to men who act like this?  

We're Not Safe Here:  I found this one very disjointed and confusing.  It's definitely a case of "it's not you, its me".  The mashup of podcast entries, message boards and video transcripts just didn't work for me, especially through audio.

Fall With Me:  I had to DNF this one.  I had a hard time buying that no one would side with Jenna about her boyfriend cheating on her with her best friend.  Especially Sutton, who is said best friend's brother.  I mean I would call out a family member in a heart beat.  

Mad About You:  I DNF'd this one a few years back but tried to give it a second chance.  I ended up remembering why I DNF'd it.  Cassy was too much of a doormat for me.  I also didn't understand how Scott could be so smart and a multi-millionaire yet so dumb to not start working on financing for his product.  I didn't buy it.  

Out of Control;  I quickly DNF'd this one.  I was really put off by the first scene and wasn't sure why the main character wasn't put off as well.  I had no desire to continue.

June Mini Musings

The Accidental Engagement:  I thought this one was just OK.  I really detested how Daniel treated Ivy.  I also didn't like the way Ivy was forced into the entire scenario.  I was applauding her in the end when she had the guts to walk away from it all.  She took Daniel back way too quickly  She should have made him grovel a lot more.  

Love Unleashed:  I thought this was adorable.  It's part of the Billionaire Matchmaker series with each novella written by a different author.   I loved the second chance romance brought about by an adorable dog. Mia and Gideon's story is really sweet. It's a quick read and one I highly recommend.

A Night of Misbehaving:  Meh, another novella I didn't really care for.  There was too much deceit and misunderstanding packed into one little story for my liking.  I also didn't like either of the main characters and didn't see the chemistry at all between them.

Struck Dead:  The 10th book in the Forensic Instincts series was a really good addition to the series.  The entire team just becomes so much closer together after what happens to Casey.  I also loved the ending.  Highly recommend this one and the entire series.

Review: A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James

Author: Simone St. James
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: January 2026

Siblings return to the house they fled eighteen years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request to come home.

Strange things happen in Fell, New York: A mysterious drowning at the town’s roadside motel. The unexplained death of a young girl whose body is left by the railroad tracks. For Violet, Vail, and Dodie Esmie the final straw was their little brother's shocking disappearance, which started as a normal game of hide-and-seek.

As their parents grew increasingly distant, the sisters were each haunted by visions and frightening events, leading them to leave town and never look back. Violet still sees dead people—spirits who remind her of Sister, the menacing presence that terrorized her for years. Now after nearly two decades it’s time for a homecoming—because Ben is back, and he’s ready to lead them to the answers they’ve longed for and long feared.

I am a big fan of this author and have enjoyed more of her books than not.  Murder Road and The Sun Down Motel are among my favorites.  Unfortunately, A Box Full of Darkness will not be among my favorites.  The story follows three siblings who return home to figure out what happened to their little brother years before and maybe put his ghost to rest.

I wish I could say that I loved this one, but I just didn't.  All three of the siblings were boring characters.  I didn't like the multiple points of view. Their voices all sounded the same to me.  The solution to what happened to their little brother came together way too quickly.  Maybe I wasn't paying attention enough to how they put the pieces together because I was bored. It all didn't make sense to me. The story wasn't spooky, wasn't creepy...it was boring.  Honestly, I don't really have much else to say about this one.  I just didn't care for it. Hopefully the next one will be better.