Review: "Sleepover" by Serena Bell

Sleepover by Serena Bell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sawyer Paulson's parents have been helping him care for his 8-year-old son, Jonah, since his wife, Lucy, passed away two years ago. Now that they've decided to move to Florida, Sawyer decides that he and Jonah should move closer to his in-laws so that he'll still have help with child care when he needs it. He finds a fixer upper where the landlord is offering reduced rent in exchange for help with renovations, which happens to be next door to the home of single mom Elle Dunning and her son, Madden. Jonah and Madden are the same age and quickly become friends, so Elle decides to be neighborly and introduce herself to Jonah's dad with a plate of cookies. When he opens the door, she's shocked to recognize Sawyer as the man with whom she had a one-night stand a few months earlier. Their relationship is awkward at first, but they're forced to spend time together because of their sons, and they soon realize that the attraction between them is as strong as the night they met. However, Sawyer is still grieving the loss of his wife, and Elle must come to terms with the circumstances of her recent divorce. Can they work through their respective baggage and find a way to create a future together?

Like the first book of the series, I found this story to be surprisingly emotional. Elle and Sawyer were super cute together and I loved their flirty banter and texting, but they also had some real challenges to overcome in order to make their relationship work. Their connection was obvious from the beginning, however, and it was easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA. The book's secondary characters were also a lot of fun, especially Sawyer's brother Brooks and Elle's friend Hattie. I'd love for them to get stories of their own in the future. (Sidenote: Hooray for the tie-in to the Wilder series in the epilogue!)

Overall, I adored "Sleepover" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Serena Bell writes next.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: "Lifting Off" by Mindy McKinley

Lifting Off by Mindy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nine years ago, Clara Chase shared a kiss with her brother Cam's best friend, James Lagos, but he ghosted her the following week when he moved to Dallas to start a new job. Even though she moved on with her life, graduating from college and becoming a successful model and influencer, Clara has not forgiven or forgotten James's behavior, so she's not exactly pleased to welcome him back to Chicago when Cam hires him to help launch their family company's new helicopter division. Even worse, Clara is also starting a new job with SkyChase as director of the company's charitable foundation, and a shortage of office space means that she and James are forced to share. With the two of them in such close proximity, can Clara keep from falling for James all over again?

I've been looking forward to James and Clara's story ever since we met them in the first book of the series, and it did not disappoint. They had fantastic chemistry from the start and it only got better as they got to know each other again. In addition, I liked seeing Clara find her place at SkyChase as she built the foundation from the ground up. She seemed so much happier and more confident by the end of the story, and while some of that was due to her relationship with James, it was also because she found fulfillment in her work.

I enjoyed the first book of this series, but I think this was one even better! I highly recommend "Lifting Off" for all contemporary romance fans and look forward to Clara's brother Carter's story next.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: "FUBAR" by Elise Faber

FUBAR by Elise Faber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Carter Jackson has been drawn to Maggie Augustin since the day they met, but he was in a relationship with another woman at the time. Now that he and Maggie are both single, he's anxious to tell her how he feels about her. Unfortunately, the timing still isn't quite right for them; Maggie is pregnant with another man's baby after a one-night stand, and she can't quite believe Carter wants anything to do with her messy life. Despite her protests, he'll do whatever it takes to convince her to give him a chance.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced, funny, sweet, and heartwarming story of two people who were absolutely perfect for each other making it work under less than ideal circumstances. Former Marine turned private investigator Carter was an alpha in a lot of ways, but I loved how sweet and caring he was with Maggie. When she was suffering from severe morning sickness, he did extensive research to try and find ways to help her, and made sure to always have extra toothbrushes and ginger candies available for her. It wasn't easy for him to accept caring in return, but Maggie did her best to look out for him after he was injured on the job and at other times. I also loved how well Carter and Maggie communicated and worked together to overcome the challenges they faced from Maggie's past. Finally, the "found family" aspect of this story was lovely. Maggie's birth family may not always have been there for her, but she knew she could rely on Carter, her friends, and Carter's family to be there for her.

I recommend "FUBAR" for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy and look forward to the next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: "Head Over Heels" by Serena Bell

Head Over Heels by Serena Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After growing up in foster care, Olivia "Liv" Stratten has resisted putting down roots for her entire adult life. She's spent nearly three years in her current home of Revere Lake, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, and even though she's made several good friends there, she's got the itch to move on. The only problem is that her car needs expensive repairs before she can leave for her new job in Colorado, and she's scrambling for a way to come up with the cash. Liv's friend Chase Crayton, single dad to 5-year-old Katie, offers her a solution. He just had to fire his daughter's nanny, so he asks Liv to take over on a temporary basis in exchange for the funds she needs to repair or replace her car. There's never been anything romantic between Liv and Chase, but now that they're living under the same roof, they can't help but see each other differently. Can Chase and Katie offer Liv a reason to stay or will her need to keep moving win out?

Liv and Chase made an adorable couple, and even though it took them a while to realize it, they were very well matched. I loved that they didn't try to force their respective likes and dislikes on each other, as evidenced by the "consolation parties" they had whenever one of them had a bad date. They accepted each other for who they were and agreed to watch separate movies, content just to be in the same room enjoying each other's company. I also loved the way that Liv related to Chase's daughter Katie. Liv lost her mother when she was young too, so she understood a lot of what Katie was feeling.

Overall, I very much enjoyed "Head Over Heels" and would recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to picking up the next book in the series very soon.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Release Blitz + Review: "Camp Hot Mess" by Bella Jewel

I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz promoting "Camp Hot Mess" by Bella Jewel, book #2 of the Walker Hills series. Characters from the previous book (as well as the earlier Turf Wars series) make appearances in this one, but it reads as a complete standalone. 

 

After a rough few years topped off by recently quitting her job, single mom Juniper ("June") decides that she needs some time away to find herself, so she leaves her 7-year-old son Hudson with his father and books a month-long retreat at the Walker Hills guest ranch. She doesn't make the best first impression when she stumbles off the bus drunk, but she still manages to catch the attention of Lorenzo ("Enzo"), the ranch's second-in-command. It's not long before June finds herself enjoying an unexpected side benefit of the retreat when she begins knocking boots with Enzo in several very creative (read: kinky) ways and locations. Unfortunately, the fun and games take on a sinister overtone when mysterious things start happening around the ranch. On top of that, one of the other moms seems intent on starting a feud with June. Can Enzo and June figure out who's causing all the trouble before it's too late?

 

"Camp Hot Mess" was an entertaining romantic comedy with elements of light romantic suspense. For the most part, I liked main characters June and Enzo, though I was hoping for more character development from each of them. Part of the problem was that the story was told only from June's POV, so I didn't feel like I got to know Enzo very well at all. Even so, I liked him and June together, and they certainly had plenty of chemistry.

Overall, I enjoyed and would recommend this book for all romantic comedy fans. I plan to continue with the series.
 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

About "Camp Hot Mess"

The ranchers are about to meet the moms - what could possibly go wrong?

Camp Hot Mess by Bella Jewel is now live!

Unless you're a mom, you just wouldn't understand.
The crying, the diapers, the late nights, the early mornings.
The laughter, the smiles, the joy, the blessing.
I get it. I'm living it. I love it.
I also know that sometimes, moms need a break.
A rest away from the world, away from their troubles, away from the everyday hustle and bustle.
A ranch retreat run by hot cowboys for a month? I'll pay double.
One whole month of nothing but fun and adventures.
I don't think those cowboys knew what they were in for when they signed us up.
We're the ones they all talk about.
Too loud. Too casual. Too rude.
Drink too much, talk too much, swear too much...
You know. Those moms.
We love our kids more than life itself, but we're a god damned mess.
We need a break.
We need those men to ride us as hard as they ride them horses...
Well, I do anyway.
Did I mention I'm single?
Oh, I am.
Did I mention I have secrets?
Whoops. I guess I do.
Did I mention I'm a hot mess?
They're about to find out just how much.

 

Review: "Broody Devil" by Melissa Ivers

Congratulations to Melissa Ivers on the release of her latest novel, "Broody Devil," book #3 of the Nashville Devils series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a complete standalone.

Professional hockey player Rhett Remington was happily living and playing in Los Angeles until a fight with a teammate got him blacklisted from the organization and almost every other team in the league. The Nashville Devils took a chance and traded for him, but he's made no secret of the fact that he's not happy to be there. He refuses to follow the rules and can't seem to stop generating bad press wherever he goes. His latest act of rebellion finds him hanging out in a Las Vegas strip club, where team PR liaison Lucy Hurst tracks him down. Rhett challenges Lucy to have a drink with him, and it's the last thing either of them remembers until the next morning, when they wake up in bed together wearing wedding rings. News of their nuptials is already going viral, so Lucy convinces Rhett that they should stay married until the end of the hockey season to save both of their careers. Forced to move in together and fake a happy marriage, will these two opposites end up killing each other before the season is over...or kissing each other instead?

The chemistry between Rhett and Lucy was absolute FIRE from the very first chapter, though it took quite a while for either of them to admit that they found the other attractive. I particularly enjoyed the way they teased each other with their clothing (or lack thereof) when they were at home alone. It really intensified the slow burn tension and had me on the edge of my seat waiting for them to finally act on their feelings. Given Rhett's early behavior, I didn't expect to like him as much as I did, but there were many layers to his character. Every time I thought I understood him, something new would be revealed, and I couldn't help but empathize with everything he went through. He and Lucy both deserved to find some happiness, and it was easy for me to cheer them on to their HEA.

Overall, I loved "Broody Devil" and highly recommend it for all contemporary/sports romance fans. (One caveat: a few of the steamy scenes went a bit beyond my personal comfort zone, but that is obviously highly subjective, and there are plenty of readers who will absolutely love that aspect of the story.) I look forward to picking up the next book in the series, hopefully featuring Rhett's sister Avery and teammate Foster.
 

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

About "Broody Devil"

The last thing I need is a wife. Especially if it’s the one woman who can't stand me.

I’m the bad boy of the NHL. The enforcer with a mean punch and bad attitude. The ladies don’t seem to mind and my stick is always ready to go. So, I have a few scandals. Who doesn’t?

Everything was fine until she clicked into my life with her hot pink Barbie heels. After one too many tabloid exploits, my career is in jeopardy, and she demands I clean up my act.

I can’t not say no. Even if I want to. The stakes are too great.

Turns out I’m not so good at behaving and even drag Miss Perfect into the mud when we wake up naked, hungover, and wearing matching wedding bands. But it’s one problem I can fix with an easy annulment. That is, until the press and her parents come knocking on our door.

Now, we have to pretend to like each other. Wouldn’t be too hard except I’m finding I like having her under my skin.

When this fake marriage gets checked, can I convince my wife I’m worth the risk?

 

Release Blitz + Review: "One-Timer" by Teagan Hunter

I'm excited to take part in the release blitz celebrating "One-Timer" by Teagan Hunter, book #3 of the Carolina Comets series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a complete standalone. 

 

Hollis Kelly and Cameron Lowell didn't exactly hit it off at first sight, when she mistakenly thought he was trespassing at her sister's wedding rehearsal and accidentally punched him. They managed to patch things up at the following day's wedding, however, and one thing led to another. Nine weeks later, Hollis's second bout of "food poisoning" in less than a week turns out to be morning sickness instead. Hollis and Lowell never expected to see each other again, much less raise a baby together, but they're forced to make the best of an awkward situation. Their attraction only grows as they get to know each other better, but after being burned in past relationships, neither Lowell nor Hollis is looking for a commitment. Can they stick to the "co-parents only" plan or will they fall in love despite their best intentions?

This story was so much fun! I loved the witty banter between Hollis and Lowell, as well as the interactions between Hollis, her sister Harper, and their friends Ryan and Emilia. Their conversations about cute hockey butts had me laughing out loud more than once! I can't wait for more stories featuring all of these characters, especially Emilia and Lowell's teammate Smith, whose book is coming up next. (Am I the only one who's hoping for a story about Scout from the donut truck, too?)

 

I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story for all fans of contemporary/sports romance and romantic comedy.

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.     

About "One-Timer"

One-Timer by Teagan Hunter is now live!

"I'm pregnant."

That's what my teammate's sister-in-law told me after our one-night stand.

I didn't expect to see Hollis again, let alone end up raising a child with her.

We set some ground rules--we'll raise the baby together, but that's it.
No relationship, no future, and definitely no kissing.

But the more time we spend together, the harder it is to keep track of where the lines were once drawn.

I'm known for my one-timer on and off the ice, but this game with Hollis just got a lot more complicated...

Release Blitz + Review: "What Lovers Do" by Jewel E. Ann

Today, I'm very happy to participate in the release blitz celebrating "What Lovers Do" by Jewel E. Ann.

 

This is a tough review to write because I want to rave about the book and every little thing I loved about it, but at the same time I hesitate to say anything at all because I don't want to spoil the experience for other readers. Jewel E. Ann is one of those rare authors who can take what seems to be a familiar trope and completely turn it on its head, and she's done exactly that with this book. The result was precisely the refreshingly original, funny, sweet, and endearing story that I needed to read right now, and I couldn't put it down.

If you're a fan of the friends-to-lovers trope, witty banter, and awkward but lovable characters, "What Lovers Do" is the story for you. I highly recommend it and can't wait to find out what Jewel E. Ann comes up with next.

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "What Lovers Do"

From bestselling author, Jewel E. Ann, comes a hilarious secret lovers story that redefines the meaning of friendship.

Shep’s found the female version of himself … and he thinks she’s perfect—perfectly unavailable.

Everyone loves Shep, the charismatic employee at Scottsdale’s newest pet store. He has shared custody of his two dogs with his annoying ex-wife and a smile that can disarm most women.

Except … Dr. Sophie Ryan.

What starts out as a disastrous first meeting, involving a coffee catastrophe and mistaken flirting, turns into an unconventional friendship.

Fake phone sex.
Dog park dates.
And eighteen holes of golf.

The problem? Sophie’s taken herself out of the dating pool for a mysterious reason, imprisoning Shep in the friend zone for eternity.

As their competitive personalities hit a boiling point, the gloves come off and so do their clothes. When Sophie’s “real” life threatens their relationship, can Shep let go of his past to chase the one that might get away? 

 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Married by Sunday" by Sarah Ready

I'm excited to take part in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Married by Sunday" by Sarah Ready, book #5 of the Soul Mates in Romeo series. 

Nathaniel Barry and Izzy Harris are nothing more than two strangers on a train headed to Romeo, New York when a mugging leads to them sharing an epic road trip adventure. He's on his way to stop his girlfriend of three years, Gertrude, from eloping with another man, while she's on her way to visit her former fiance. They go their separate ways after finally arriving at their destination, and a visit to his grandmother's old friend, famed "soul mate psychic" Miss Erma, convinces Nathaniel that he's doing the right thing by chasing after Gertrude. After all, Miss Erma says that his soulmate is in Romeo right now. But could it be that fate has other plans for him and Izzy is actually his perfect match?

 

I absolutely adored this fast-paced, funny, sweet, heartwarming, and heartbreaking story and couldn't put it down once I started reading. I'm not a big believer in the idea of soul mates, but Nate and Izzy's story is almost enough to make me change my mind. They may have been complete opposites, but they balanced each other perfectly and made a truly adorable couple.

I highly recommend "Married by Sunday" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series!

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Social Butterfly PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Married by Sunday"

Opposites clash in this wild, unpredictable rom com, where two strangers team up to stop a wedding at all costs.

Nathaniel Barry is monochromatic, meticulous, and uptight. Izzy Harris is wild, unpredictable, and free-spirited. Nathaniel has a trendy apartment, a successful career, and a girlfriend he’s about to propose to. Izzy has no home, no career, and nobody special to hold her down.

They’re polar-opposites in every way.

So when they sit next to each other on the train to Romeo, New York they clash from the very start. Naturally, Nathaniel decides he wants nothing to do with Izzy. And Izzy...well, she has a different opinion.

No matter how much Nathaniel protests, Izzy knows it was fate that brought them together. Nathaniel’s girlfriend just ran off to marry another man, and Izzy swears she’ll help Nathaniel win her back. They have three days to stop the ill-advised wedding. It should be easy. It should be simple. But when two polar opposites team-up to stop a wedding, there’s only one guarantee – that nothing will go as planned.

Married by Sunday is Book 5 in Sarah Ready’s Soul Mates in Romeo Romance Series. 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Married by Sunday"

“Excuse me, I think my boyfriend is under your table.”

I hold extremely still and crouch in a little ball under the round wooden table. The white tablecloth nearly touches the floor, but I can see the tip of Gertrude’s high heels and Raphael’s brown wingtips behind her.

“If you don’t mind, I’m just going to look.”

I close my eyes. How did my life come to this? How did I go from an incredibly successful, well-respected businessman to a disaster covered in cake crouched under a table? It’s embarrassing.

I wait for the tablecloth to lift up, but it doesn’t.

I move back but the woman at the table kicks me. I grunt and then hold still.

Wait a minute.

I recognize those shoes.

“Don’t you dare,” a woman with a southern drawl a mile wide says. “My husband is under this table giving me the French tickle, it’s our honeymoon, and I always wanted a little tongue bath in public. Ah ah. Back away from the tablecloth, missy.”

A grin spreads across my face. She’s absurd, she’s obscene, she’s the best.

I could kiss her.

“If you lift this tablecloth, this whole restaurant and all them old ladies will see my hoo-ha. That’ll ruin their appetites. Or it’ll make ’em jealous. Either way.”

“Uh…uh…what?”

“My treasure,” Raphael says, “the lady says the man you saw is her husband.”

“But…but I swear I saw Nathaniel. I don’t know why he’s here. I told him not to come,” Gertrude says.

“Well, that settles it. You couldn’t have seen a Nathaniel. My husband’s name is Devon.”

I stifle a surprised laugh and Izzy kicks at me again.

“Now, if you’ll please excuse us, I’d like to get back to it. We only live once, ya know.”

Wow.

She’s crazy.

She’s perfect.

She rescued me. 

 

***

Release Blitz + Review: "Faking the Game" by Claudia Burgoa

I'm delighted to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Faking the Game" by Claudia Burgoa, book #1 of the Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers series. It's a spinoff of the Spearman Family series, but reads as a standalone.

For the past year, Aslan Spearman has been lying to his mother about having a girlfriend so she'd stop nagging him to date. Unfortunately, that plan doesn't seem so brilliant now that the entire family is going on a trip to Hawaii and his mother expects his "girlfriend" to accompany him. As if his life weren't complicated enough, the merger he's trying to close seems to be falling apart, and he's depending on his VP of Operations, Keaton Nealy, more than ever. Meanwhile, Keaton is facing problems of her own; she's struggling financially because she's been paying her mother's medical expenses and other debts while caring for her younger sister Savannah for the past two years. If she can just hold on until the merger goes through, she's sure everything will be fine. Aslan has promised her a promotion and transfer to Arizona to run their new subsidiary, and the raise plus a lower cost of living should be enough for her to finally get ahead of the bills. An emergency with her mother leads to Aslan finding out about Keaton's financial situation, and he immediately jumps in to help. When Keaton tries to refuse because she knows she can't repay him, Aslan convinces her that they can actually help each other - if she agrees to act as his fake girlfriend until her move to Arizona.
 

The chemistry and witty banter between Keaton and Aslan was a lot of fun, and I loved the way they constantly challenged, teased, and flirted with each other. Further, I couldn't help but empathize with everything Keaton was going through, especially in relation to her mom's medical issues and her abandonment issues because of the way her father and his family treated her when she was a child. She'd had a crush on Aslan for some time, but never intended to act on it because company policy discouraged fraternization between employees. Their fake relationship allowed them to see each other in a different light, though nothing about it ever truly felt fake to me. I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

Overall, I adored "Faking the Game" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "Faking the Game"

From USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Claudia Burgoa comes this page-turner fake-relationship-office romance.

What happens when the guy who’s afraid of love finds himself in it?

Know what they say about never mixing business with pleasure? Yeah, no.
The one about never sleeping with your boss?
I ignored it too.
I blame Aslan Spearman, the boss.
He’s a wealthy playboy who doesn’t believe in happily ever after.
He’s demanding, a workaholic, and cynical.
He’d rather have a root canal than be in a romantic relationship.
Do you want to know a secret? I think he’s afraid of love.
So when he has to go to the Spearman family reunion in Hawaii with his girlfriend, he’s in big trouble.
That’s what happens when you lie to your family about your relationship status.
It wasn’t important—until now.
What does he do?
He comes to me, his VP of Operations and right hand for assistance.
After all, I’m a problem solver.
Except my personal life is complete chaos.
So we make a deal. I’ll be his girlfriend if he helps me solve my problems.
It’s a win-win situation, right?
I mean, how hard can it be?
It’s not like I plan to fall in love. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Always on My Mind" by Samantha Chase

I'm thrilled to join the release blitz celebrating "Always on My Mind" by Samantha Chase, book #10 of the Magnolia Sound series. Characters from earlier books in the series make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone. 

 

For years, Parker Bishop was secretly in love with her best friend Tyler, but he didn't return her feelings and recently married someone else. In need of a fresh start, Parker decides to return home to Magnolia Sound, but couch surfing with her relatives doesn't quite work out as planned. When she runs into former high school classmate Ethan Harlow at the library as he's posting a flyer for a roommate, it seems like a sign, so Parker does her best to persuade Ethan to let her move in with him. Against his better judgement, Ethan agrees, but he quickly wonders if it's a mistake. He can't help being attracted to Parker even though she seems determined to drag him out of his comfort zone and force him to chase dreams that he'd thought were long forgotten. As he gets to know her better, Ethan realizes that Parker just might need his help to follow her dreams too. Could these total opposites actually be totally perfect for each other?

Ethan and Parker were genuinely likeable, relatable characters, and I loved how much each of their characters grew over the course of the story. Their relationship was good for both of them because it pushed them to try new things and think about their lives in a different way. I loved how cute they were together, as well as the way Ethan stood up for Parker with her family. He was normally such a quiet, mild-mannered guy, but he turned into a fierce champion for the woman he loved.

Overall, I very much enjoyed "Always on My Mind" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I look forward to the next book in the series (especially after the intriguing setup in this book's epilogue).

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "Always on My Mind"

Returning to Magnolia Sound was never part of the plan. Then again, Parker Bishop rarely had one. Yet after confessing her love to her best friend right before his wedding, she needs time to lick her wounds from the disastrous scene that unfolds. After the unsympathetic welcome she receives from her parents and siblings, Parker finds herself absentmindedly driving through town in search of a place to stay.

That's when she spots the flier and a familiar name...

Ethan Harlow enjoys the peace and quiet. Unfortunately, finding a moment of it becomes impossible when the flier he posts for a roommate brings Parker crashing into his life. Of course, he remembers her from high school. It's impossible to forget little miss popular who was always the center of attention. All he wanted was to split the rent and keep to himself. Instead, Parker transforms his home and makes him question the dreams he gave up out of fear of stepping out of his comfort zone.

The attraction they feel to one another makes crossing the line from roommates to lovers seem inevitable. But the more Parker encourages Ethan to pursue his dreams, the less likely it becomes that they can have any kind of future together. Can they find a way to claim their happily ever after or will their individual paths make a future impossible? 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "The Secret" by Kristen Proby

I'm pleased to participate in today's release blitz promoting "The Secret" by Kristen Proby, book #1 of the Single in Seattle series. It's a spinoff of the With Me in Seattle series featuring the children of main characters from the earlier books, but does work as a standalone.

 

Growing up, Olivia Williams's famous actor/producer father sheltered her from the spotlight, raising her and her younger siblings in Seattle. Despite growing up so far from the glow of Hollywood, she was fascinated by the movie business and became a costume designer for her father's production company as an adult. She's excited to be working on a new project starring Vaughn Barrymore, the scion of a family of Hollywood royalty and exactly the opposite of the kind of man her father wants her to date. Their first meeting goes badly but Olivia and Vaughn can't help being strongly attracted to each other, and it's not long before they're dating in secret. When the press finds out about their relationship, will Olivia be forced to choose between her family and the man she loves?

I should preface this review by stating that I am generally not a fan of the insta-lust/insta-love trope, and Olivia and Vaughn's romance was very much an example of both. At first, Olivia seemed to genuinely dislike Vaughn because of his attitude, though the physical attraction was obvious. I can't blame her for her feelings, but it made the jump to them hooking up and from there almost immediately into a relationship hard for me to swallow. I wasn't a huge Olivia fan, either. I appreciated that she always stood up for herself and refused to accept less than she deserved, but the way she chose to do so sometimes came across as abrasive and bossy to me. She also had a tendency to overreact and blame Vaughn for things that really weren't his fault. Bottom line, I had a tough time connecting with either the main characters or their relationship, and that made it tough for me to completely enjoy this book.

Overall, "The Secret" was not a terrible book, but it's not going to be a keeper for me, either. I'd recommend it for readers who enjoy the insta-lust/insta-love trope as well as fans of the original With Me in Seattle series, who will enjoy the updates on characters from past stories.

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "The Secret"

From NYT and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby comes a forbidden romance. The Secret is the first in the Single in Seattle series!

Vaughn is everything I'm supposed to stay away from. Sexy. Cocky. And famous.
Ultra-famous.
I grew up in a family full of wealthy celebrities. My father, Luke Williams, is the celebrity of them all. A superstar actor and producer, my father knows the downside of living in the spotlight. And because of that, he sheltered my siblings and me from everything Hollywood entailed. We didn't attend premieres. We weren't photographed. There were no friendships with other celebrities' children.
The limelight couldn't touch us.
But now, at twenty-five, I'm ready to start my life, working for my father's production company in downtown Seattle--until Vaughn Barrymore walks through the door.
He can't keep his hands off me. He's completely forbidden, but I can't help falling for the sweet, complicated man.
When--and it's when not if--my family finds out that I've been keeping this secret, will I have to choose between the man I love and those who mean the most to me? Or, by some miracle, can I have both?

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Stuck with the Movie Star" by Georgia Coffman

I'm excited to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Stuck with the Movie Star" by Georgia Coffman, book #2 of the Stuck with You series. Characters from the first book of the series play supporting roles in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Madison Taylor is proud of everything she's accomplished as a salon owner in New York, but she's ready for a new challenge. She's not exactly sure what that challenge might be until her best friend Tessa's fiance recommends her for a job on a movie after their makeup artist drops out. Arriving for her first day on the set, Madison is shocked to find out that the movie stars none other than Ian Brock, formerly known as Ian Bowman, her high school sweetheart. She's even more shocked when Ian blurts out that he and Madison are old friends who recently reconnected and started dating. As it turns out, Ian just broke up with his co-star, Annalisa, who can't seem to accept that their relationship is over. With his career depending on the success of the movie, Ian must convince Madison to go along with his fake relationship plan, but there's no guarantee she won't decide to seek revenge for the way he ended things with her in high school instead.

I really enjoyed Ian and Madison's banter and obvious chemistry, which didn't seem to diminish at all in the years they were apart. I also appreciated that the misunderstanding between them from high school was cleared up relatively early in the story. Their relationship moved rather quickly after that, but given their history, I believed in the strength of their feelings for each other. The problem came when it was time for Ian to return to Los Angeles and he and Madison had to figure out how to move forward when their lives were in two different cities. I was frustrated with each of them at various times for being too stubborn and proud to admit that they were afraid to try again after the way their relationship ended the first time, but even so, I couldn't help rooting for them to reconcile their differences. While I wasn't personally a fan of the grand gesture that ultimately brought them back together, it worked for them, and that's all that really matters.

Overall, I enjoyed "Stuck with the Movie Star" and would recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "Stuck with the Movie Star"

In an attempt to save my career, I ask the new makeup artist to pretend to date me. There’s just one problem… she hates me.

As a rising star in Hollywood and half of LA's "It" couple, my days are filled with filming, partying, and being with my newest leading lady.

The life, right?

Wrong.

After our not-so-mutual breakup, being on location in New York together is a recipe for disaster.

I need divert her advances before this project goes south, so I impulsively announce that I’m dating the new makeup artist.

Good idea, Ian.

Not.

The fiery redhead is smart with a quick wit and sinful black combat boots.

Madison is also my ex-girlfriend—and she despises me.

To make matters worse, the second the media catches wind of us high school sweethearts reuniting, we’re all anyone can talk about.

During one of my numerous attempts to earn Madison’s forgiveness for this public fiasco, we get stuck together.

Which is when I realize she doesn’t hate me, after all.

In fact, our chemistry is as intense as ever, and it’s not long before the headlines of our fateful reconnection become true.

But when the credits roll, and I head back to my home on the opposite coast, will it be the end of us too? 

 

Review: "Assist" by Claire Hastings

Assist by Claire Hastings
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After breaking up with a guy whose attentions had started to seem more like stalking, Delaney Stewart was in desperate need of an escape from her life in Chicago. Unfortunately, her accounting firm would only approve a transfer for a major life event, so Delaney lies and says that she's engaged to Chance Walker, her best friend of twenty years, and needs to move to Atlanta to be with him. Professional soccer player Chance has secretly been in love with Delaney for years, so when she shows up on his doorstep and asks him to go along with the fake engagement, he seizes the opportunity to show her how good they are together. Will Delaney give into her feelings for Chance or let her fear of ruining their friendship get in the way?

Chance and Delaney were super cute together. I loved their chemistry as well as the way they prioritized each other's happiness. For example, Chance watched Delaney's favorite chick flicks with her when she had a bad day, and even though she wasn't into sports, she made an effort to learn the rules of soccer because the game was so important to him. They really were perfect for each other and I loved cheering them on to their HEA.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this quick, sweet, and steamy read. I recommend "Assist" for all fans of contemporary/sports romance and can't wait for the next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: "My Favorite Night" by Claudia Burgoa

My Favorite Night by Claudia Y. Burgoa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"My Favorite Night" by Claudia Burgoa is a short, free prequel to her upcoming series, the Paradise Bay Billionaire Brothers. It's a spinoff of the earlier Spearman Family series, but you don't need to read that series to understand this one.

Professional hockey player Caspian Spearman is one of eight kids whose family owns a winery in Paradise Bay, California. He's helping out there in the off-season while waiting to find out both his and the team's fate. His team, the Vancouver Orcas, was recently purchased by a new owner, Mills Aldridge, and Caspian is waiting to find out if the team will be moved or he will be traded.

Caspian is in the tasting room one day when he meets veterinarian Rys, who is celebrating the end of her internship and new job with Leyla Aldridge in Baker's Creek with a girls' weekend in wine country. Caspian is immediately drawn to Rys and hatches a scheme so that they can spend some time alone together.

This story doesn't end in an HEA (or even an HFN, really), but it's not a cliffhanger, either. It was a short but intriguing introduction to the series and some of its characters with a nice amount of steam. I look forward to learning more about this branch of the Spearman family, and hopefully, given their mutual connection to the Aldridge family, this isn't the last Caspian and Rys will see of each other.

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Review: "Do Over" by Serena Bell

Do Over by Serena Bell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Single dad Jack Parker is spending the evening at home with his 4-year-old son, Gabe, when Gabe's mother, Maddie Adams, suddenly shows up on his doorstep in tears. After attending a work function, she returned home to the apartment she shared with her boyfriend to find him cheating on her with her best friend. As Jack is comforting Maddie, one thing nearly leads to another, but they're interrupted by their son. Afterwards, Maddie realizes that she has nowhere to go unless she uproots Gabe from their home in Seattle to move in with her parents in California. Jack convinces her to stay with him instead until she can find a place of her own. They both know it's a bad idea, but Maddie decides that it's worth the risk to minimize the changes for Gabe. As for Jack, he never really got over Maddie and can't help liking the idea of having her so close to him. Could this be his chance to prove that they're meant to be together?

This book turned out to be even better than I was expecting! Maddie and Jack were both such endearing, relatable characters and I found it very easy to root for them both individually and as a couple. Jack was dealing with a ton of baggage because of the way his father treated him when he was growing up, but I loved the way he fought to overcome it and be a better man and father to his son. I also loved the way Jack and Maddie's story was told through flashbacks. It was easy to see how much they loved each other and that they belonged together, but at the same time it broke my heart because they couldn't quite seem to make their relationship work. I actually teared up when they finally reconciled because it felt like they'd fought so hard for it.

Overall, "Do Over" gave me all the feels and I loved it. I highly recommend this book for all contemporary romance fans and look forward to the next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Release Blitz + Review: "Shenanigans" by Sarina Bowen

I'm happy to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Shenanigans" by Sarina Bowen, book #6 of the Brooklyn series. I'm a relatively new reader of Bowen's work and this is the first time I've picked up anything in this series, but I thought it worked well as a standalone.

I don't know how it happened, but I've managed to read quite a few books recently that focused on hockey players who were accidentally married in Las Vegas, and frankly, I was starting to wonder what, if anything, was left to do with the trope. However, Sarina Bowen managed to breathe new life into it and come up with something completely fresh and totally compelling. I fell in love with these characters and their world and had a tough time putting the book down. 

 

I loved the banter and slow burn, opposites attract romance between protagonists Charli Higgins and Neil Drake, who were both professional hockey players but grew up in completely different worlds. Neil was the heir to a billion-dollar private jet empire, while Charli was bounced around between various relatives until she managed to land an athletic scholarship to a prestigious private high school. Despite his wealth, Neil was incredibly likeable and relatable; he enjoyed cooking, cared about the environment, and was patient and generous with Charli and everyone else he cared about. As for Charli, I loved her toughness and independence and empathized with the challenges she'd faced in the past.

Overall, "Shenanigans" gave me all the feels and I highly recommend it for fans of contemporary/sports romance and romantic comedy. I will definitely be going back to read the earlier books in the series and look forward to whatever Sarina Bowen comes up with next.

 

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 

 

About "Shenanigans"

What I meant to do in Vegas: Let my hair down for once and celebrate winning a medal at my first women’s hockey all-stars competition.

What I actually did: Got senior prom drunk and woke up married to Brooklyn’s star winger, the great Neil Drake.

He’s the heir to a billion dollars, and I barely survived my childhood. Our friendship is based strictly only on hockey, takeout food, and smack talk.

And now holy matrimony. Although we both know it can’t last, especially once his evil family gets wind of our Vegas shenanigans…

Contains: Meddling teammates, meddling parents, ugly jewelry, and a pretend-kiss that nearly sets the world on fire. 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "The Change Up" by Samantha Lind

Today, I'm pleased to join the release blitz promoting "The Change Up" by Samantha Lind, book #4 of the Indianapolis Lightning series. Characters from earlier books in the series make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Hannah Knight's husband Ryan passed away in a car accident three years ago. Since then, she and her young son Brayden have made it a tradition to take a vacation around the anniversary of his death. They're at a beach resort in the Bahamas this year, which also happens to be where professional baseball player Matt O'Riley is staying with a couple of friends to relax after a grueling season. Hannah and Brayden are playing catch on the beach when they meet Matt, who's all too happy to join in, especially after noticing that pretty Hannah isn't wearing a wedding ring. Matt and Hannah's connection only grows as they continue to run into each other around the resort, and he asks her to have dinner alone with him on the night before she and Brayden are scheduled to leave. One thing leads to another, and four weeks later, Hannah is staring at a positive pregnancy test. The problem is that she and Matt never exchanged last names or contact information. How will she ever find him to share the news?

"The Change Up" was a fast-paced, sweet, and steamy read that featured likeable characters. Matt and Hannah were cute together, and I loved the way that Matt bonded with Brayden and immediately accepted him as his own. That said, Matt and Hannah's relationship just felt too easy to me. From the time they met, there was basically no conflict between them. Sure, Hannah had to track Matt down since they hadn't exchanged contact information at the resort, but when she did, he reacted like a doting husband and immediately jumped into family life. There never seemed to be any doubts or hesitation on either side, and without that, I was frankly a little bored at times. 

There were also several details about the story that didn't entirely make sense to me. For example, the timeline was a bit confusing. Early in the story there are two time jumps of four weeks each, but when Hannah tracks Matt down, she's somehow already 16 weeks pregnant. Where did the other eight weeks go? I was also confused about why Hannah referenced a "media frenzy" when her husband died. I thought he was just a financial planner, but was he actually famous somehow? If not, why would the media be involved? There's rarely much, if any, coverage of car accidents that don't involve famous people beyond a single mention on the evening news or in the local paper.

Overall, I'd still recommend "The Change Up" for contemporary/sports romance fans looking for a light, quick read, but I can't say that this one is going to be a keeper for me. I would give the author another chance in the future, however.
 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

About "The Change Up"

Matt
I had it all:
A great job.
Fame.
Wealth.
I didn’t have her.
She’s the one I let slip away – from my bed on vacation.
She didn’t know who I was or what my batting average was.
I got to be myself with her and now I wish I’d gotten her number.

Hannah
It was supposed to be fun.
He was hot.
I needed a break.
I got two little pink lines.
So much time had passed and I didn’t know how to find him or what to say.
But here he is.
Matt Riley - professional baseball player and my baby's daddy.
Maybe, a night of fun could turn into my forever. 

Review: "Love on the Lake" by Helena Hunting

Congratulations to author Helena Hunting on the release of her latest novel, "Love on the Lake," book #2 of the Lakeside series. While it does work as a standalone, my personal belief is that this series is best read in order. There is a lot of context in the first book that is helpful for understanding female lead Teagan's journey in this book. 

 

I'm having trouble writing this review because my favorite thing about "Love on the Lake" was its ability to take me by surprise, and I don't want to say too much and accidentally ruin that experience for another reader. The story was constantly twisting and turning, changing and evolving, and every time I thought it was going to go one way, it went somewhere completely different. Protagonists Teagan Firestone and Aaron Saunders were both incredibly likeable, complex characters, and they faced more than their fair share of challenges on the way to their HEA. There were aspects of both characters that I found to be very relatable, but in general, what I most loved was their shared commitment to finding themselves and working to be better in the future. They weren't perfect, but they kept trying, and I couldn't help but admire them for it.

Overall, "Love on the Lake" was a perfect blend of funny, sweet, steamy, and emotional, and I absolutely adored it. The first book in the series was fantastic, but I think this one was even better. I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans and look forward to Helena Hunting's next release. 

 

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

About "Love on the Lake"

From USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting comes the second installment in the Lakeside series, where a gutsy heroine confronts family secrets and personal struggles in the town of Pearl Lake.

Teagan Firestone has always been the dutiful daughter, especially since her mom died. But as her father finally begins to move on, it’s her turn to do the same. Her destination: Pearl Lake, a close-knit community with an entrepreneurial spirit and secrets of its own.

One of them is Aaron Saunders, who dropped out of college to work construction for Pearl Lake’s upper class. He’s a mystery and has a playboy reputation—that is, until he meets Teagan. Neither one of them is looking for love, but in a town this small, it’s hard not to let your heart get involved.

As their romance heats up, Aaron’s elusive past comes to light, and Teagan is there for him, bringing them even closer together. But when Teagan is forced to face her own demons, her inability to accept the support of friends and family threatens the life she’s worked so hard to build.

Can Aaron love her, even when she can’t love herself?