The Lost Coffee Mug

‘Built for Love’ by Amy McGavin Series: Scottish Single Dads #2 Published: January 15, 2026 Genre: Romance, Romantic Comedy Format: e-book Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

A fresh start. That's what I'm calling this. New town, new house, new hair salon. New life where nobody knows that my ex--the father of my four-year-old daughter--slept with my best friend.

The one complication? Struan Walker. The gorgeous, charming, annoyingly good-with-his-hands builder fixing up my salon. And, as fate would have it, my new next-door neighbour.

Sexy man bun, cheeky grin, broad shoulders built for lifting…

What? No, of course I haven't imagined him lifting me.

Anyway, the man is helpful too, irritatingly so. Fixes things without being asked. Catches me when I fall off chairs. Soothes my daughter's meltdowns in thirty seconds flat.

Plus he's funny. And a devoted single father. And very, very flirty.

And that's the problem. The absolutely colossal, oh-dear-God problem. Because men like Struan? They're used to women falling for them. And judging by the looks he gets around town, plenty already have.

As for me, I learnt the hard way what trusting the wrong man can do, and I will not make the same mistake again. I refuse to let Struan slip past the walls I've put up around myself.

But the more time I spend with him, the harder it is to pretend I'm not tempted to risk everything I came here to rebuild…

My Thoughts

Built for Love by Amy McGavin is book two in the Scottish Single Dad Series. While this is a stand-alone book, I will say at first I was a bit confused about how everyone was connected. But it didn’t take long to figure that out. The biggest thing to figure out was what happened to Ainsley to make her pack everything up and move. It wasn’t just her that moved to a new town; it was her daughter and her parents as well. When you start to find out why, you really understand why she is the grumpy one with high walls around her.

Then comes in Struan, who is sunshine and really is the total opposite to her ex. He steps up in ways she hasn’t seen before and really shows her how a real man should act towards her and her daughter. He takes time to think and try and understand why she is acting a certain way or why she said something. He really is mature in how he is, and it’s the perfect compliment to her.

Built for Love is based in Scotland, and the way this book is written, you can really hear how they talk. It is almost like your re transported to Scotland. It was a great escape and world building, and great to really feel it jump off the pages. I almost wonder if the great writing and world building is due to the author or should I say authors? Amy McGavin is a husband-and-wife writing duo that did an amazing job making these characters come to life.

Built for Love is a four-star read that really makes you smile and laugh. And who knows, Struan might be your new book boyfriend. He is sure now on my top ten list. Now, do be warned, there are a few spicy scenes, but they are skippable if you don’t want them. The spicy scenes do make this book have two chili peppers.

Built for Love is out now, and if you are a Kindle Unlimited member, it is included in your membership. If you have read this book, what were your thoughts?

‘Illicit Illustration’ by E.L. Koslo Narrator/Narrators: Theodore Zephyr & Madison Mitts Series: Masked Men of Sage Springs #2 Published: January 7, 2026 Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance Format: Audiobook Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Narration: 🎤🎤🎤

Synopsis

Hatching Hazel

Being wildly attracted to my best friend’s little sister was kind of a nightmare. Especially when she knew every vivid detail of my very active sex life. When her best friend offered the opportunity to get to know her through a blind dating experiment where she won’t know who she’s talking to for two weeks, I didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity to show her who I was beyond all the miscommunication.

Resisting Reid

Having a secret crush on your older brother’s best friend may be fun in middle school, but in real life, it kind of sucked. Especially when he used the bar I work at as a hunting ground for his next conquest. But when I needed his help for a special illustration project, he might be the only man I could trust. It was too bad I was already falling for someone else’s words, or was I?

My Thoughts

Trying to get back into the audiobook groove, Illicit Illustration by E.L. Koslo was the right book to get me in the groove. Right away, the chemistry from Hazel and Reid was nothing short of amazing. The way E.L. Koslo wrote them, you could really tell that they have known each other for a very long time. I also found it interesting how you find out how Hazel got her scar. But what I enjoyed the most was seeing Reid really be head over heels for Hazel.

Another great thing about Illicit Illustration was that there really was no third act break-up. It was more of a misunderstanding, not a true break-up. And hearing Theodore Zephyr and Madison Mitts bring this story to light was a true gem. It was so enjoyable to listen to this story, and I couldn’t stop listening to it as I was enjoying it so much.

E.L. Koslo was about to bring a four-star story to life and be able to give it three chili peppers for the spice as well. This spice was so enjoyable that you will love the heat and beg for wanting more. The narration by Theodore Zephyr and Madison Mitts was done well as well and is getting three microphones.

Illicit Illustration is out now and available wherever you get your audiobooks.

‘Game Over’ by Bella North Series: Oakwood Ranch #2 Published: January 22, 2026 Genre: Romance,  Contemporary Romance Format: e-book Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

His football days might be over. But the game is just beginning… Forced out of the game by a career-ending injury, Dylan Sullivan is busy drowning his sorrows in the local bar. Slumped a few stools down, Izzy Brooks knocks back another bourbon. Her grandpa is selling the horses she loves, meaning she’s out of a job—and a home. The next morning, Dylan wakes groggily to the sound of horses’ hooves—with zero memory of the night before. Unlucky for him, there’s a tougher-than-nails, sexy-as-hell ranch hand with a scowl the size of Texas to fill him in… Last night, Dylan bought eighteen horses to fill his family’s empty ranch. Izzy’s horses. Izzy’s future relies on Dylan becoming the rancher he never planned to be. As she puts him through his paces, competitive sparks—and something even more sizzling—fly. And stolen moments amongst the haystacks start to feel like a new beginning for both of them. But when Dylan gets a chance to rejoin the world of football, the hope in Izzy’s heart flatlines. Will he prove every misgiving she had about him true? Or will he realize the path he never expected to walk is the one leading to the happy ending he was looking for?

My Thoughts

Game Over by Bella North showed how to have a character evolve in a story.  The character growth that Dylan did in this story was so good.   From the start, he seemed like a huge jerk, but between Izzy and the Ranch, it really helped him grow up and figure out life after football.

Dylan wasn’t the only one with growth through the story.  Izzy had a lot of high walls that were built up, and she was too stubborn to let them down.  It was great to see the walls come down and her letting people in slowly.  The romance between Dyland and Izzy was great as well.  They really did complete each other very well and made it so I couldn’t flip the page fast enough to read.

If you are a fan of Cowboys, Ranches, and great characters, Game Over is the perfect book for you.  This is a five-star read that you would enjoy from start to finish. The spice level was also just right in the book, and is getting three chili peppers.  Game Over is out now and available wherever you get your books, and if you are a Kindle Unlimited member, it is included in your membership.

‘Falling at the Barre’ by Elise Kennedy Series: Love in Fairwick Falls #5 Published: December 11, 2025 Genre: Romance, Romantic Comedy Format: e-book Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

Luca Bishop has one rule: no dating until his first-grader graduates high school. Period. Between running a growing auto body shop and solo-parenting, romance isn’t just off the table—it’s somewhere in the garage under a tarp. And with his schedule, it's time to hire a nanny. Enter his daughter's gorgeous new dance teacher, who's also their next-door-neighbor. The one who smells like cinnamon. Who makes his kid beam and who laughs like sunshine. And who already feels like his—if only she weren’t leaving.

Ballet didn’t dump Olivia Maroo—it just stopped calling.

At 33, Olivia knows pliés won't pay the bills forever, but she’s not ready to hang up her pointe shoes just yet. She just needs a few months to train for auditions, regroup, and totally not fall apart. So she returns to her hometown for the fall—where the maple syrup flows, the apple pie pancake breakfasts are elite, and the existential dread is pumpkin spice–flavored.

In exchange for ballet studio space, she agrees to teach at the local dance studio. It’s temporary. Chill. Fine.

...Until she accidentally volunteers to nanny for her most adorably chaotic student—who just so happens to live next door with her extremely hot, extremely off-limits single dad.

It has to be temporary. But with cozy movie nights, cider-fueled slow dances, and a life she’s already half in love with, she’s not prepared for the kind of fall that changes everything.

My Thoughts

If you love that small-town feeling, then the Love in Fairwick Falls series by Elise Kennedy is that series for you.  Falling at the Barre is book five, and every time I get to come back to this small town, I am always excited.

This time, we are seeing more of the little girl we saw in the last book with her dad, Luca. It was great to see Luca fall head over heels for Olivia.  The writing for these characters and all of the side ones is amazing. It makes you giggle and feel for all of these characters.  I also enjoyed how there wasn’t a third-act breakup.  It’s nice to see an author do something different when it comes to a romance book.

I really enjoyed Falling at the Barre, and I think you all will as well, since I am giving this five stars.  Be warned, there is spice in this book that will make it hot and it’s getting a rating of four chili peppers.

Falling at the Barre is out now wherever you get your books, and if you are a KOBO plus member, it is included in your membership.

‘Snowed-In Enemies’ by Bella Mason Published: December 30, 2025 Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance Format: e-book Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

An enemies to lovers, snowbound, fake relationship, exhilarating F1 sport romance from Harlequin Presents author Bella Mason. Off-grid with the enemy… and driven into his arms! Cutthroat. Arrogant. Powerful. Racing champion Lukas Jäger is everything journalist Katherine Ward despises. Despite fan speculation, they feel nothing but hatred for one another…till a snowstorm traps the pair in Lapland! Unleashing an explosive chemistry neither can deny… Notoriously private, Lukas adamantly avoids the press. But Katherine's obliterating his legendary control. For a few snowbound nights, he’ll let the fire between them rage, then burn out… Only, their so-called “relationship” goes viral and they’re served a new PR directive: keep up the sizzling charade!

My Thoughts

One of my favorite authors with Harlequin, Bella Mason, has released another book.  Snowed-In Enemies deals with two people who really show that the line between hate and love is very thin.  When meeting Lukas and Katherine, you see how the hate started, and when they meet again and get stuck together, you see how that line really starts to blur, and the love explodes.  As the story goes on, you really see how much alike they are when it comes to family and their careers.

Snowed-In Enemies will have you turning the pages so quickly, and is getting four stars from me with a spice rating of two chili peppers. I recommend Snowed-In Enemies, and it is out now wherever you get your books.

Welcome, all who have found my blog.  I bet you are all wondering who The Lost Coffee Mug is and how this name came about. Well, I was thinking about getting back into blogging and deciding what I wanted to write about, I figured it would be kind of like a lifestyle blog. It then turned into a blog about books.

The name came about because I feel like we all have moments where we feel lost. I love coffee, and I have a favorite mug I love to use, and I was just thinking, what if I was a lost coffee mug just trying to find her way home?  As I have grown into this life, I feel like I have found family and friends who will be there no matter what, and that is a great feeling.

Now I briefly mentioned before that I blog about books. I will still be doing that in 2026. But in 2025, I was diagnosed with POTs. It’s a chronic illness that I am trying to figure out how to manage the best way for me.  And I feel like that is something very important for me to share.

In 2025, I also got into crocheting and knitting. Mostly crocheting, so you maybe see something about yarn, a pattern I just used, or something I made. Doing crocheting really helps relax my mind, which seems to be going a mile an hour. Along with crafting, I got back into my cozy game era with Animal Crossing. I really somehow forgot how relaxing the game is and fun. I’ve also met some great people in the community.

‘Bear Naked with the Bearded Baller’ by Amy Award Series: The Cocky Kingsmans #0 Published: 2023 Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance Format: e-book Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

When plus-size model, April De la Reine, loses her agency and all her hopes for making a difference in the fashion world, she needs some peace and solitude to rethink her life. A cabin in the mountains of Colorado sounds like the perfect escape.

But her trip to the snowy wilderness of Bear Claw Valley gives her a dilapidated shack, a blizzard, a hilariously oversized dog as big as a bear, and the grumpy, bearded, and irresistibly infamous footballer, Bridger Kingman.

Stranded together in a snowed-in cabin, they soon discover that opposites do more than just attract and they find warmth in the best of places – each other’s arms.

My Thoughts

I’ve been a fan of the Cocky Kingsmans series for a while.  The characters and world that Amy Award has built in this series are great, and one I always want to keep coming back to.  What was great about this Novella was seeing how the parents met and got together.  I am serious when I say that while reading Bear Naked with the Bearded Baller, I was smiling and kicking my feet the whole time from enjoyment.

Bear Naked with the Bearded Baller is a great novella that will make you want to keep the series or pick the series back up again.  This Novella was so good to me that I am going to give it five stars for the rating.  While this was a novella, there was one spicy scene, making this get two chili peppers for the spice level rating.

‘Scrooge-ish’ by L.B. Dunbar Series: Holiday Hotties Published: November 22, 2022 Genre: Romance, Holiday Romance Format: e-book Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Stars: ⭐⭐ 1/2

Synopsis

I hate Christmas. I don’t know who thought every female must love shopping, wrapping, baking, and hosting, but I’m missing the memo. On top of that, I manage a top-end department store. Sprinkle in the fact I’ll be turning forty during this holiday season, and my life is a Christmas cookie recipe gone wrong. And every year I become a little more Scrooge-ish. But the spirit of the most wonderful time of the year (insert sarcasm) seems to have a plan for me and my midlife crisis attitude. First, my past returns when I attend a high school reunion happy hour and run into that boy—the one I had a summer fling with after graduation and before college—then promptly ghosted me. The torture continues because that boy is now a man, worldly and wise and sexier than I remember. And he invites me to attend a holiday work party with him. Which leads to my discovery that there is a lot more to this forty, fine, former NFL quarterback, now fireman, like being a single father to the sweetest little girl, putting me at risk of falling for both of them. However, I have my reasons not to believe in love and the happiest time of the year. And the first twenty-five days of December tests all my strength. Just what the Dicken is happening? Charles himself might approve of this plot. Even I’m a little curious to see how it all plays out. + + + With the past behind her and the future uncertain, can Eva Nazar accept that the present is a gift and love is the greatest treasure we receive even if it isn’t always wrapped in pretty paper with a perfect bow on top?

My Thoughts

This holiday season is here, and I was looking for a new book to go with this Holiday season.  I am sad to say that Scrooge-ish by L.B. Dunbar was not that book.  When I started the book, I was excited and was really enjoying the story that was being told.  I really like that, the characters were in their 40s, and you don’t see a lot of books like that.  The only problem is that instead of learning from her past and trying to grow, the female main character seemed stuck and not able to grow.  And after seeing it affect her over and over again when getting to 25% of the book, I literally was sitting there going not again.  She was really feeling more like a teenager and not an adult in her 40s.  That is a character that makes it hard to root for and want to see something go well for.

If you want a book with spice, I have to say that Scrooge-ish is that book.  This book had the spice, but at a certain point, it almost felt like the spice was put in just to say the book had spice.  After a while of that, I really was just getting annoyed with it because it felt like more effort was put into putting in a bunch of spice instead of character growth.

For me to say this is a book to read is really hard for me to do. I would say maybe put it on your TBR, but you don’t need to read it right away. Scrooge-ish is getting two and a half stars for a rating, and this is showing that Santa could have kept this book at the North Pole.  With the spice in this book, it is getting three chili peppers.

Scrooge-ish is out now, and if you have Kindle Unlimited, it is included in your membership.

‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas’ by Sophie Sullivan Published: September 23, 2025 Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance Format: Paperback Spice Level: 🌶️ Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

All bets are off when a single-minded photographer and a professional hockey player are forced to spend a week together on his sister’s Christmas tree farm, perfect for fans of Jenny Holiday and Maggie Knox.

Maisie Smart doesn’t look back. Not on the choice she made to be a photographer, and not on the one-night stand she had six months ago. But sleeping with a professional hockey player who bolted the morning after is a whole new level of embarrassing. Now she’s about to spend the week at Tickle Tree Farms with her family this Christmas—and then the universe throws a Grinch in her festive plans.

Nick King is a mess. After a significant injury benches him, he has more time to dwell on his anxieties and the one-night stand he can’t get out of his head. With the holidays around the corner, he figures visiting his sister and nephew at their Christmas tree farm will be a good way to sort himself out. That’s impossible when he learns Maisie is there, still beautiful and justifiably angry about the way he left. But Christmas is the time for second chances, and the forced proximity may help Nick and Maisie unwrap feelings neither of them can walk away from twice.

My Thoughts

If you are needing an extra boost to get into the Christmas spirit, then You Make It Feel Like Christmas by Sophie Sullivan would be just the perfect book for that.  While reading this book Sophie really got the Christmas spirit.  I have to also say along with the Christmas spirit she was able to have great character development.  Both main characters do have their issues but they both were able to work through it and grow from the past and not live in the past.

You Make It Feel Like Christmas really did make the whole time reading it feel like the Holiday season and in a good way.  The book is one that is hard to put down, and you will love every moment of it like I did.  I am giving this book four stars.  The spice in this book add just a hint as it’s getting one chili pepper.

You make It Feel Like Christmas is available wherever you get your books.