Release Blitz + Review: "The Big Game" by Emily Silver

I'm delighted to participate in the release blitz celebrating "The Big Game" by Emily Silver, the fifth and final book of the Denver Mountain Lions series. Unlike the previous books in the series, this one is NOT a standalone; it should be read after books #1-4.

"The Big Game" is a short but heartwarming read set a few years after the events of book #4. The Denver Mountain Lions are on the verge of finally achieving their dream of a Super Bowl victory; do they have what it takes to bring home the trophy? 

This novella was the perfect way to wrap up the series. It was great to check in with the central couples from earlier stories and see how they're doing a few years down the line. I loved seeing each character living out their HEA, especially the guys from the team, who finally made it to the big game after so many years of hard work.

I highly recommend "The Big Game" for anyone who has read and enjoyed the earlier books of the series. I look forward to whatever Emily Silver writes next!

 

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

 

 

About "The Big Game"

It’s finally here. The one game every player wants to be in.

Sweat, blood, and tears have been spilled on the Mountain Lions’ journey to the championship game.

The Mountain Lions have it all—love, marriage, and families.

They all want the ring. So bad, they can taste it.

Do they have what it takes to finally be able to hoist that trophy?

Find out as Jackson, Colin, Alex, Knox, and Logan play in…

The Big Game.

The Big Game is the final novella in the Denver Mountain Lions series and SHOULD NOT be read out of order! 

 

Review: "Blowout" by Elise Faber

Blowout by Elise Faber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've read a number of Elise Faber's past books, but none in the Breakers Hockey series, so I was a bit concerned about starting with book #6. Fortunately, "Blowout" worked quite well as a standalone, and I loved it.

Professional hockey player Luca "Cas" Castillo has been drawn to waitress Julie "Jules" Blackstar ever since they met, but when he finally works up the courage to ask her out, she turns him down. Between work, school, and raising her 5-year-old son Ethan, Jules has no time for dating. Besides, she's been burned by a hockey player once already and has no interest in making the same mistake twice. But the more Jules learns about Cas, the more she realizes that he couldn't be less like her ex. Can he help her overcome the hurts of the past so that they can build a future together?

Cas was such a sweetheart! Despite his reputation (or what Jules seemed to think was his reputation), I didn't get a player vibe from him at all. He was close with his family, did everything he could to take care of them, and seemed genuinely appreciative of the sacrifices his parents made for him when he was growing up. That said, given her previous experiences with her father and ex-boyfriend, I completely understood why Jules was initially hesitant to get involved with Cas. She wasn't just protecting herself, she was protecting her son too. Cas and Ethan's relationship was adorable, however, and I loved the way the three of them came together as a family.

I highly recommend "Blowout" for all contemporary/sports romance fans and look forward to the next book in the series, featuring Cas's teammate Theo and Eva the sports blogger.

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "Made for Me" by Natasha Madison

I'm excited to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Made for Me" by Natasha Madison, book #1 of the Made For series. It's a spinoff of the Only One series and also includes appearances by characters from Madison's earlier Something So and This Is series, but reads as a standalone.

 

Social worker Julia Williams has known Dr. Chase Grant for years, ever since her twin sister Jillian married his cousin Michael. They've been attracted to each other for most of that time, though neither has acted on it for fear of messing up the family dynamic. Besides, Chase was working overseas for Doctors Without Borders, which made a relationship impossible. Things begin to change when he returns home and accepts a job as the team doctor for a professional hockey team, bringing him into more frequent - and much closer - contact with Julia. When she faces a work-related tragedy, Chase is there to support her, and they realize that they can no longer fight their feelings for each other. But before the happily ever after, they'll have to deal with the aftermath of the tragedy and its impact on Julia's career. Chase will give anything to protect her, but even he might not be able to prevent what's coming.

This story went in a much different, more emotional direction than I expected, but I think that made me like it even more. Julia and Chase had fantastic chemistry, and his efforts to take care of her were incredibly sweet. I also loved the way his family adopted her even before they started dating, just because her sister had married into the family. Julia had a way of adopting people too, particularly her clients. I could tell how much she genuinely cared and wanted to help them, though her attachment meant that she sometimes got hurt.  

That said, there were a few aspects of the story that bothered me. For example, I thought the steam and Julia's focus on defining her relationship with Chase were over-emphasized. She was facing serious legal problems, but for over a week, all she thought about was when Chase would get back from his latest road trip with the team so they could hop back into bed. I guess it's good to have a distraction at a time like that, but shouldn't she have been at least a little worried? IMO it's completely unrealistic to expect that she could just ignore the situation completely. 

I was also confused about a few other things, mainly related to Julia's relationship history. For example, I got the impression early on that she had been having a fling or friends with benefits relationship with one of the police officers she knew through work, but that plot thread was completely dropped at some point. I didn't understand why she was so afraid of long-term relationships, either. Did she have a bad one in the past or something? 

 

In summary, I loved Julia and Chase together as well as the author's effort to do something different than the typical sports romance, but there were a few aspects of the plot that didn't quite work for me in the execution. Even so, I'd recommend "Made for Me" for all contemporary/sports romance fans and look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

 

 

About "Made for Me"

From Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author Natasha Madison comes a brand new stand-alone friends to lovers sports romance. A spin-off from the Only One series.

Chase
Everyone expected me to play hockey.
I was good at it, but I was better at being a doctor.
So I hung up the skates and joined Doctors Without Borders.
But there is no place like home, so now I’m back.
And instead of being on the ice, I’m behind the bench as the team physician.
After years of playing cat and mouse, it’s time to admit it.
She’s mine.

Julia
Working as a social worker was a dream come true.
It wasn’t easy, and it has made me shut off my heart to love.
No commitment. No strings. No promises.
Until one fateful night changed everything.
He was there for me like no other one.
The biggest thing is I let him.
Maybe he was just made for me! 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows" by Piper Rayne

I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz celebrating "You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows" by Piper Rayne, book #1 of the Kingsmen Football Stars series. 

 

Athletic trainer Shayna Kudrow is thrilled to land her dream job with the San Francisco Kingsmen football team. The only problem is that the team's star quarterback, Lee Burrows, is also the man who broke her heart in college. As soon as he lays eyes on her for the first time in eight years, Lee realizes that he's never gotten over Shayna. He's determined to win her back, but she has no interest in giving him a second chance. When he's sidelined by a shoulder injury and she's assigned to help him with his rehab, however, it becomes increasingly difficult for her to resist his charms. But there's one more challenge they'll have to overcome: the team's no-fraternization policy. Can they find a way to be together without risking both of their careers?

 

For the most part, I enjoyed Lee and Shayna's second chance romance. Their banter was a lot of fun, they had great chemistry, and I could tell that Lee was genuinely remorseful about the mistakes he made in the past. That said, there were a few aspects of the story that didn't entirely make sense to me, mainly related to Lee's injury and his contract status with the team. For example, he was initially very concerned about the possibility of an injury because he was in the last year of his contract; he knew that an injury could jeopardize his chances of signing with another team if the Kingsmen failed to offer him a new contract. Because of that, I thought he'd be a little more upset when he actually did injure his shoulder. Strangely, he almost seemed excited about it because it gave him an excuse to spend more time with Shayna. His decision to go to team management and demand that they make an exception to the no-fraternization policy for him as their star player wasn't a good look either. Why rock the boat in a contract year? Either he wasn't a very smart guy, or his football career didn't mean as much to him as he claimed. There's nothing wrong with that; if he'd chosen to retire just to be with Shayna, I would have been all for it. My issue was that he wasn't just risking his own career, he was risking hers too, and he didn't seem to have thought it through very well.

In any event, I'd recommend this book for all fans of contemporary/sports romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

 

 

About "You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows"

Lee f’ing Burrows.
The Kingsmen’s star quarterback.
Legendary throwing arm.
Six-pack abs.
Kissable lips.

Oh, but don’t forget, he’s also a lying, heartless egomaniac who broke my heart in college.

It took me years to build myself back up after his deceit, and now I have the dream opportunity to prove myself working as a sports therapist for a professional team.

The hurdle? Or mountain to be more accurate…
The job is with the San Francisco Kingsmen.

Back when I was a naïve college girl, I felt lucky that he even noticed me. Now eight years later, he’d be lucky if I gave him the time of day.

Which I won’t. Not ever.

Some people don’t deserve a second chance and Lee Burrows is one of them.

Now if someone could only tell him that because he’s hell-bent on scoring the winning touchdown and won’t accept that it’s game over for us. 

 

Review: "False Start" by Piper Rayne

False Start by Piper Rayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"False Start" is a prequel to Piper Rayne's Kingsmen Football Stars series, featuring Lee and Shayna, the main characters of book #1, "You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows." It's set eight years before that story begins.

Lee Burrows may be the star quarterback of Michigan's football team, but if he can't find a way to pass his biology class, his dreams of playing in the NFL might be over before they even begin. To prevent him from being suspended from the team, his coach and professor make arrangements for the top student in his class, Shayna Kudrow, to tutor him. Outgoing Lee is immediately smitten by introverted Shayna, but she has no interest in becoming just another notch on his bedpost. The more time they spend together, however, the more she realizes that there's more to Lee than his playboy reputation. She decides to give him a chance, but can their fledgling relationship survive when she finds out the secret Lee has been keeping from her?

It's not necessary to read this prequel to understand the first book of the series, but I'd recommend picking it up anyway. It fills in a lot of details about what happened between Shayna and Lee when they were in college, particularly the circumstances that led to their breakup. His side of the story made a lot more sense to me after reading this novella. Shayna never really gave him a chance to explain why he did what he did back then (though he did apologize for hurting her), and I appreciated the context.

I'd recommend this story as well as "You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows" and look forward to finding out what's to come in this entertaining new series.

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Review: "Vanished into Thin Heiress" by Pru Warren

Vanished Into Thin Heiress by Pru Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a student at Rowley University, Ivy Connors used to pretend that rare books librarian Miss Violet Coopersmith was the grandmother she'd never had. Years later, it comes as a shock when Ivy is invited to a mysterious meeting at an upscale Manhattan law firm and informed that the recently deceased Miss C. was a secret millionaire who'd named Ivy and two other young women who attended Rowley in her will. Ivy's inheritance is a vast property in upstate New York called the Victor's Den, worth nearly $50 million. If she accepts, the property is hers to do with as she wishes, though the will stipulates that she must live there for a full year before she can sell. If she refuses the inheritance or fails to fulfill the terms of the will, the property will be sold immediately with the proceeds donated to Rowley. Ivy decides to accept and spend the next year recreating the childhood experiences she missed while living life in the spotlight as a teen pop star. Could getting in touch with her inner child be the key to Ivy's future happiness?

Unlike the first two books of the series which were told in dual first-person POV, this story was narrated solely from Ivy's perspective. I usually prefer dual POV, but in this case, focusing on Ivy was a good choice because her character arc outside of the romance was so important. There was so much for her to come to terms with in her past, and it wasn't easy for her to find her place in the world. Her unexpected love interest played a critical role in helping Ivy integrate the good parts of her old life with the new life she was trying to build. I never would have predicted that she'd end up with that person, but they made a surprisingly great couple, and I have to admit that I was rooting for them even before it became clear that there was something between them.

Overall, "Vanished Into Thin Heiress" was a wonderful conclusion to the Surprise Heiress series and I highly recommend it for all romantic comedy fans. I look forward to whatever Pru Warren writes next.

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

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Review: "Full of Hot Heiress" by Pru Warren

Full of Hot Heiress by Pru Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When immigration lawyer Hannah Maitland is summoned to a mysterious meeting at an upscale Manhattan law firm, the last thing she expects is to learn that she's received a substantial inheritance from Miss Violet Coopersmith, a rare books librarian she briefly knew while attending Rowley University seven years earlier. If she chooses to accept the inheritance, the large estate in Beverly Hills valued at more than $30 million will be hers to do with as she wishes, though the will stipulates that she must live there for a full year before she can sell. It's a difficult choice to leave her job and clients in Chicago, but Hannah decides the sacrifice will be worthwhile; at the end of the year, she'll sell the estate and use the proceeds to set up a nonprofit.

With her youngest brother, 19-year-old Ivor, in tow, Hannah sets out for California to begin the monumental task of returning the Paradiso estate to its former glory. They're welcomed to their new home by a pair of unexpected visitors: retired variety show host Andy and his pet ostrich, Carol Burnett, who live next door. Andy introduces Hannah to landscape architect Eli Dark and comes up with a plan for them to work together to transform Paradiso's gardens into a fantasy land that will be the envy of everyone in Beverly Hills. The problem is that Hannah and Eli's political views could not be more different, and it seems as if every time they speak, an argument ensues. When they're not speaking, however, the attraction that flares between them is white hot. Can they put their differences aside long enough to complete the project - and fall in love?

I loved Eli and Hannah's banter and fiery chemistry, which was fueled in many ways by their opposing viewpoints. I think they both learned and grew a lot from their disagreements, particularly Eli, who I have to admit was tough to like at times. All political beliefs aside, some of his knee-jerk actions and reactions were downright cruel. He didn't seem to consider the consequences for anyone but himself. That said, he came around in the end and made a genuine effort to rectify his mistakes, which I appreciated.

I highly recommend "Full of Hot Heiress" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I'm excited to read book 3 of the series next!

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

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Review: "Breath of Fresh Heiress" by Pru Warren

Breath of Fresh Heiress: Not Your Typical Romantic Comedy by Pru Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a student at Rowley University, Grace McReady briefly made the acquaintance of rare books librarian Miss Violet Coopersmith, who helped her through a difficult situation. Seven years later, Grace is invited to a mysterious meeting at an upscale Manhattan law firm, where she learns that Miss C. has passed away, leaving bequests to Grace and two other young women who attended Rowley. Grace's inheritance is a large tract of land in rural western Tennessee, which includes a derelict old mansion called the River House. If she accepts, the property is hers to do with as she wishes, though the will stipulates that she must live there for a full year before she can sell. If she refuses the inheritance or fails to fulfill the terms of the will, the property will be sold immediately and the proceeds donated to Rowley. Grace decides to accept the inheritance and travels to Tennessee to see the property with her overbearing fiance, Kennett. Even though it has fallen into disrepair, she falls in love with the River House at first sight and becomes determined to make it her home, which puts a quick end to her engagement. Before she can move in, she'll have to figure out how to finance the needed renovations and find qualified contractors, a problem when the closest town, Catlett, has been slowly dying since its last remaining furniture factory closed.

Meanwhile, deputy county commissioner Rem Jackson has a plan to bring Catlett back to life, and it hinges on the River House estate. He's offered to accept the property from its owner in lieu of what's owed in back taxes so that the county can turn it into an outdoor recreation center, creating jobs and generating tourist revenue. The one thing he didn't plan for is Grace, who's determined to stay and manages to find a way around every obstacle that's thrown in her way. Rem's not giving up without a fight, however; he needs a win, and so does Catlett. When he unexpectedly begins to develop romantic feelings for Grace, will Rem be forced to choose between saving the town - and his own reputation - and the possibility of a future with the woman he can't stop thinking about?

This was such a fun story and I enjoyed it tremendously. I adored Grace and Rem's witty banter, as well as Grace's gradual realization that she didn't need anyone else to make decisions for her. She was capable of accomplishing so much on her own, and I was just as proud as she was when she managed to do things like get the plumbing working in the River House! I also enjoyed the mystery behind Grace's inheritance and trying to figure out why Miss C. thought the property was so valuable. The answer was totally unexpected, though there were clues I should have seen along the way. The author did a fantastic job of dropping subtle hints without giving too much away.

I highly recommend "Breath of Fresh Heiress" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I'm jumping directly into book 2 of the series!

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "Illegal Contact" by Emily Silver

I'm thrilled to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Illegal Contact" by Emily Silver, book #4 of the Denver Mountain Lions series. Characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

For the past several seasons, professional football player Knox Fisher has been having an affair with Frankie Rose, the assistant linebackers coach for his team, the Denver Mountain Lions. They've gone to great pains to hide the relationship, knowing that Frankie would lose her job if anyone ever found out about them. The stakes get even higher when Frankie learns of a fellow coach's impending retirement, putting her in line for a promotion. As one of only a handful of female coaches in the league, it's a huge opportunity, and she can't afford to do anything to jeopardize it. She can't seem to stay away from Knox, however, and now that his best friends and teammates are all starting to pair off, he's getting tired of having to hide their relationship in the shadows. Will Frankie be forced to choose between her career and the man she loves?

This was such a good story! Frankie's perspective as one of only a few female coaches in the NFL made it unique, and the author did an excellent job of exploring the double standard she faced compared to most of her male colleagues. I completely understood why she was so afraid to bring her relationship with Knox out into the open. That said, they really did make a fantastic couple, and I loved how they slowly came to realize that their relationship was more than just a fling. They genuinely wanted to be there for each other in good times and in bad, not have to hide their feelings or limit their interactions to the football field.

I highly recommend "Illegal Contact" for all contemporary/sports romance fans and look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

 

 

About "Illegal Contact"

Cocky football star Knox Fisher has been driving me crazy for years.

I’m one of the few female coaches in the league. I shouldn’t want someone who has the power to jeopardize my entire career, especially someone seven years my junior.

But I can’t stay away.

We keep the sizzling chemistry between the two of us.

A glance here. A touch there. I live for the stolen moments with him.

I know he wants more, but more is dangerous. If anyone saw us together, I could lose my job and be blackballed from the league.

There’s no way this relationship can end with anything but a broken heart, yet I can’t resist him.

I might be his coach, but this player is about to teach me a thing or two about love. 

 

Review: "Blame It On the Eggnog" by Samantha Baca

Blame It On the Eggnog by Samantha Baca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After relocating from Florida to the small town of Sugarplum Falls, Idaho, one of the first items on single dad Elliott Weston's to-do list is finding a nanny for his 3-year-old son, Alex. He offers the job to Sunny Wells, who quickly draws Alex - and Elliott - in with her kind and caring personality. He tries to put his personal feelings for her aside, concerned about the nearly 15-year age difference between them as well as the possible impact a relationship could have on his son, but when Sunny is forced to temporarily move in with them during a blizzard, it becomes impossible to fight the attraction. As Christmas approaches, Alex is thriving and Elliott's relationship with Sunny is deepening when an unexpected visitor changes everything. Can Elliott convince Sunny that their love is worth fighting for?

I very much enjoyed this sweet yet steamy holiday romance. Sunny and Elliott's relationship got off to a bit of a rocky start because of his efforts to deny his feelings for her, which sent some mixed signals. Once he stopped fighting the attraction, however, they made a great couple. While the relationship moved quickly, I believed in the strength of their feelings for each other. Further, I loved their steamy chemistry as well as the sweet family moments they shared with Alex. This really was the perfect read to get me into the holiday spirit.

I highly recommend "Blame It On The Eggnog" 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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Review: "Crazy Rich Rednecks" by Kaci Lane

Crazy Rich Rednecks by Kaci Lane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Crazy Rich Rednecks" by Kaci Lane was such a fun story! Main characters Mackenzie Magee and Earl Ed Mayberry were both incredibly likeable and surprisingly relatable, and even though it didn't seem like they should work as a couple, they fit together perfectly. I particularly liked that Earl Ed wasn't a typical buff hero; he needed to lose a few pounds (or at least he thought so - no judgment from me!), but more importantly, he was genuinely kind, caring, and a true Southern gentleman. I completely understood why Mack was charmed by him, his quirky family, and their holiday traditions. I would have fallen for him too!

Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. It was the first book I've read by Kaci Lane, but it won't be the last.

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

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Review: "From Me To You" by Mary Carson

From Me To You: A Sweet Second Chance Forced Proximity Small Town RomCom Novella by Mary Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While spending the weekend in her college roommate Julie's hometown, Lizzy Cross met Julie's older brother's best friend, Theo Hayes. They hit it off and even dated long distance for a while, but Theo kept canceling their plans to get together in person. The last time they were supposed to meet up, he not only canceled, he unexpectedly broke up with her. Three years later, Julie is getting married and has asked Lizzy to be her maid of honor. She'd hoped to be able to avoid Theo during the wedding festivities, but when she arrives at the rehearsal dinner, she's dismayed to learn that he's been asked to fill in as a groomsman at the last minute. Theo, meanwhile, sees it as an opportunity; he's spent their time apart working to be worthy of Lizzy and intends to put forth his best effort to win her back before the weekend is over. Can he convince her that he's changed and won't break her heart a second time?

I very much enjoyed this fun, quick read. Lizzy and Theo's banter had me chuckling from their very first encounter. Lizzy was understandably hurt by the way Theo had ended things between them three years earlier, but his explanation of the circumstances behind the breakup made a lot of sense. I think their biggest problem was that they were just too young when they first met; they needed time to grow apart before they could grow together.

I highly recommend "From Me To You" for all sweet contemporary and romantic comedy fans and look forward to whatever the author writes next.

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

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Review: "Run Run Rudolph" by Chelle Sloan

Run Run Rudolph by Chelle Sloan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Actress Hollie Berry built a successful career on feel-good, PG-rated holiday romance movies airing on the Adored Network, but one weekend in Las Vegas was all it took to destroy her reputation as "America's Sweetheart." After images of her attending a male dance revue as part of her best friend's bachelorette celebration went viral, the network terminated her contract for violating a morality clause. Even worse, they didn't inform Hollie that she'd been fired before issuing the press release, just as she was in the middle of a live TV interview. When the interviewer joked that Hollie had landed herself on the naughty list, she responded by encouraging women to "claim their coal," generating another viral video. Overnight, Hollie went from sweet girl next door to feminist icon; the paparazzi set up camp outside her house, and her employment prospects disappeared. It's a relief when her old friend Hazel offers to help her escape Los Angeles and travel to a secure location, which turns out to be the small town of Rolling Hills, Tennessee.

Meanwhile, Trent Rudolph, head of the influencer division for Hazel's dating app, has been feeling a bit lost and alone as Christmas approaches. His two best friends recently settled down with the loves of their lives, turning him into a fifth wheel. When Hazel calls him to a secret meeting at her house and announces that Hollie, his not-so-secret celebrity crush, is coming to stay, he jumps at the chance to help. He invites Hollie to stay with him and they quickly become friends - and more. As their feelings for each other continue to grow, Hollie begins to imagine a future for herself in small town Tennessee. But when she's presented with an opportunity to reclaim her career, can she afford to pass it up?

After reading so much about Hollie and the important part her viral video played in the earlier books of this series, I was really excited to read her story. I loved that she took her own advice and took back control of her life, right down to the way she styled her hair, which had apparently been written into her contract with the network. I also loved that Trent was willing to support her no matter what decision she made about moving forward in her career. He really was the sweetest guy!

Overall, "Run Run Rudolph" was the perfect ending to The Naughty List series, and I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to Chelle Sloan's next release.

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

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Review: "Nico & Hope and a Partridge in a Pear Tree" by Ellie Hall

Nico & Hope and a Partridge in a Pear Tree by Ellie Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've loved the entire Costa Brothers Cozy Comfort Christmas Romance series, but Ellie Hall saved the best for last with Nico and Hope's story! This funny, sweet, and heartwarming tale was exactly what I needed to get into the Christmas spirit and is sure to appeal to all fans of fairy tale retellings, particularly Cinderella.

Hope Marshall has pretty much been on her own since losing her father when she was only 16. Sure, she has a stepmother and two stepsisters, but they treat her as if she were their servant. Not only that, her stepmother claims Hope owes her a debt and has been making her repay it with interest for the last several years. In an effort to make the final payment by spring and finally be free of "the Steps," Hope has been working four jobs; the latest is a seasonal position as a Christmas Gift-o-Gram Girl delivering singing telegrams and seasonal experiences to the residents of Hawk Ridge Hollow. When she's hired to deliver one to Nico Costa at his family's new pizza and pie shop, he's sure that his five older brothers are pranking him. Even so, he can't help being smitten with Hope after an afternoon of cookie decorating. He'll do anything to spend more time with her - even volunteer to be her fake fiance when the Steps announce that they're moving into Hope's tiny cottage with her because of a plumbing problem at the family home.

I liked Nico in the earlier books of the series because of the way he teased his older brothers, but I totally fell for him after getting to know him better in this story. I empathized with his feelings of being overlooked as the baby of the family as well as his shyness/awkwardness with women. I loved the way he connected with Hope and gained confidence by helping her stand up to the Steps. As for Hope, it amazed me how positive she was in the face of so much adversity. She fit in perfectly with Nico and the rest of the Costas, who took her in and became the family she'd always wanted.

I can't recommend this book (and the entire Costa Brothers series) highly enough! Without a doubt, it has been one of my favorite series of 2022. I look forward to whatever Ellie Hall writes next.

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "Only Mine" by Laura Pavlov

I'm delighted to join the release blitz celebrating "Only Mine" by Laura Pavlov, the fifth and final book of the Honey Mountain series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Now that she's passed the bar exam, attorney Dylan Thomas is ready to find her dream job. After several competitive rounds of interviews with the San Francisco Lions hockey team, she's managed to impress both the team's owner and the outgoing chief counsel. However, the owner's son, Wolfgang Wayburn, is concerned that her fiery temper makes her a bad fit for the job. He begrudgingly agrees to give her 90 days to prove herself, starting with accompanying him on a two-week recruiting trip. With Wolf preparing to take over the team's day-to-day operations so that his father can retire, it's a test for both him and Dylan, and they'll have to figure out a way to put their animosity aside to get the job done. After ten years as a Navy SEAL, Wolf's sure he can handle anything Dylan throws at him, but surprisingly, she may be the one person who can bring him to his knees.

Much like the previous books in this series, "Only Mine" gave me all the feels and I absolutely loved it. Dylan and Wolf had chemistry for days and their bickering/bantering was tremendously entertaining. The last third or so of the story took a more serious turn, but by then I couldn't put the book down because I was so invested in them as a couple. I could not have predicted how their story would end, but I was rooting for them the whole way.

Overall, "Only Mine" was a fantastic conclusion to one of my favorite series of 2022. I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans and can't wait to get my hands on whatever Laura Pavlov writes next!

 

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

 

About "Only Mine"

Wolf Wayburn is the devil in an Armani suit. Most women would drop to their knees at just the sight of him. Lucky for me—I’m not most women.

The first time we met, he cut me off at a gas station.
So, I flashed him the bird and mocked his family jewels.
The second time we met, he tried to get me fired.
He took his shot—and he missed.
At least for now.
Wolf Wayburn was an ex-Navy SEAL with an attitude.
But it would take a lot more than the big, bad Wolf to scare me off.
I had ninety days to win the man over.
To convince him that I was the right person for the job.
But spending endless amounts of time with him proved more challenging than I’d expected.
He was stubborn and broody and charming and sexy—all at the same time.
I despised him as much as I craved him.
We taunted and teased and terrorized one another for weeks.
The first time he dropped to his knees, it was to search me for a weapon.
The second time… it was an altogether different story.
I never planned to fall for the enemy.
Because I knew it was easier to hate Wolf Wayburn than to love him.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Secret Keeper" by Stacey Lynn

I'm happy to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Secret Keeper" by Stacey Lynn, book #6 of the Las Vegas Vipers series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it works well as a standalone.
 

Ryann Boucher hasn't seen her father, famed hockey coach Vik Boucher, since the day her mother moved her and her sisters from Las Vegas to Reno ten years ago. However, she's struggling to find a job after recently graduating with a degree in sports marketing, so she swallows her pride and goes to ask her father for help. She's both crushed and furious when he says no. Later that evening, Ryann and her sisters are out at a club when she meets a handsome man named Alix. There's an instant connection and they end up spending the night together. She doesn't find out until the next morning that he's actually professional hockey player Alix Halvrick of the Las Vegas Vipers, at which point she promptly throws him out of her hotel room. 

 

Three months later, Ryann is still searching for a full-time job when her father calls her out of the blue. There's an opening for an assistant travel coordinator with the Vipers, and he's offering her the position. The only catch is that she'll have to travel with the team, putting her back in Alix's orbit at the same time as she's trying to navigate a tricky new relationship with her father, who's made it clear that the players are off limits. Alix hasn't been able to forget about Ryann in the months they've been apart, but she has no intention of picking up where they left off. Can he convince her that what they have is worth fighting for?

Alix and Ryann had a ton of chemistry and I loved them as a couple. When they had a chance to relax and put aside all of the challenges they faced, they were so cute and playful! They both had quite a bit of emotional baggage to work through, mainly related to their fathers, but I appreciated that they were honest with each other about their feelings and tried to figure things out together. Most refreshingly of all, there was no third act breakup! It's rare to find stories without one these days, and it just made me love this book even more.

I highly recommend "Secret Keeper" for all fans of contemporary/sports romance. I'm not sure if the author plans to continue writing books in this series, but I, for one, would be happy to keep reading about Alix and his teammates for as long as she'd like.

 

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

 

About "Secret Keeper"

What started as a typical night out with my team, became the best night of my life.

Picking up a smoking hot blonde, I take her back to the hotel, expecting the evening to go down like any other.

But nothing about her is average… she’s sassy, witty and throws me off my game. After one incredible night, I wake up wanting to see her more than I want to go to hockey practice. Then another first happens, she kicks me out – wearing only a sheet and a frown.

The next time I see her, three months later, I knock her on her ass. Literally. Even dripping in tears, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met.

Then I find the source of her tears. Her father. My hockey coach.

Turns out, I’ve gone and fallen for my coach’s daughter. Our attraction is undeniable. It’s also unavoidable since she’s now traveling with our team. I have more to lose than a spot on my hockey team if he catches us… like my heart.

Good thing I’m a pro at keeping secrets.