Kyland by Mia Sheridan – A 5/5 Star Review!

The book Kyland is a tribute to the beautiful hills of Appalachia Kentucky. A story of finding true love despite the heavy battles of both grief and poverty. Tenleigh and Kyland are both high school students in the running for a life-changing scholarship for a full ride to the college of their choice and to get out of their hometown. Each have plenty of valid reasons to have earned the scholarship and have a desperate need to get out of town. But only one can win.

Life could injure you, but you could get up again if you were strong enough, and especially if you had the right person to help you out.

This is a New Adult romance and it does have the “misunderstanding” trope, which would typically drive me crazy. However, this book is the one exception since it was masterfully woven into the storyline and for sole purpose of true love. Kyland is the gallant hero and puts us readers through an emotional roller coaster! Tenleigh is the strong heroine who is trying to keep her family together despite the many hurdles life throws at them. I hope we get a sequel to this book with her sister, Marlo, whose pride and insecurity may have blinded her from what has been right beside her all along.

I do go to hell. Every day. For you.

A bonus to this romance is how Kyland and Tenleigh’s relationship builds in a small library that Tenleigh lobbied for and asked for book donations to build in a small shack. I am always a sucker for a romance built on a love of reading and this one did not disappoint! I would recommend this book for adult readers who are not triggered by parental mental illness, claustrophobia, poverty, and grief.

Please note: an electronic Advanced Reader Copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. At the time of this review, the book will be released on May 2, 2023. Thank you!

Travis (Pelion Lake #1) by Mia Sheridan – a 3/5 Star Review!

Haven Torres is not one one to plant roots anywhere. She and her brother are on a nationwide road trip only stopping in small towns on the way long enough to make money to get to the next stop. When her brother is caught in an intimate situation with the girlfriend of the police chief, should they run again or stay firm through the chaos?

I would have given this book 5 stars up until about the 80% mark. I liked the banter between Haven and Travis but I found the interactions with Gabe to be distracting. Also there was an underlying current of miscommunication which I had hoped would dissolve as Haven and Travis fall in love but instead explodes. I liked the found family trope that is created with several side characters. I would love to hear more about Burt and Betty’s love story. Clawdia is my favorite character in the book.

This book can be read as a stand-alone but appears to be a sequel to the author’s previous book Archer’s Voice. I have had that book on my TBR pile for quite awhile but I have yet to read it. It does seem like fans of that book would have an appreciation for the characters Bree and Archer who are fairly present in this storyline.

For those who may be triggered: Childhood trauma is a strong presence in this book.