Thursday, August 31, 2023

Review: "Checking the Center" by Delancey Stewart

Checking the Center Checking the Center by Delancey Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Professional hockey player Rock Stevens is back in his hometown of Singletree, Maryland to play in an all-star pickleball tournament. He's planning to stay in the duplex he rents there from his aunt, though he hasn't visited in months. As soon as he arrives, Rock notices a few changes to the apartment's decor, but he assumes that his aunt has made a few updates. He settles in to watch hockey on TV and soon falls asleep on the couch, naked. He's startled awake by a woman claiming that he's broken into her apartment and demanding that he leave. As it turns out, there's been a mix-up: Rock's aunt meant to rent the other side of the duplex, which is supposed to be vacant, to local bakery worker Drea Coppersmith. Instead, the previous tenant has been squatting there for the past six months without paying rent, and Drea was mistakenly set up in Rock's apartment. Until the situation is straightened out, Drea and Rock are forced to become roommates - and it might just be the best thing that ever happened to them both.

This short but sweet and funny story was exactly the palate cleanser I needed between longer reads. I loved Drea and Rock's instant chemistry and witty banter. Their speculation regarding the man next door (was he a vampire?) made me laugh out loud, and I wish they'd actually had a chance to interact with him on the page. I can only imagine the hilarity that would have ensued. Rock and Drea were a fun couple, and while this story ended in an HFN, I'm sure we'll see more of them in future books of the upcoming Zamboni Diaries series.

I'd recommend "Checking the Center" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. Stewart's new series promises to be a fun one and I'm looking forward to the first full-length book later this year.

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

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Review: "Just Don't Fall" by Emma St. Clair

Congratulations to Emma St. Clair on today's release of "Just Don't Fall," book #1 of the multi-author Sweater Weather series. Each book reads as a standalone, but all are set in the same small town and feature a few recurring characters.
 
Professional hockey player Logan Barnes was recently sent back to the minors to learn how to be a team player. He's now stuck in his hometown of Harvest Hollow and forced to play for the Appies, a team better known for viral videos than hockey. His contract obligates him to take part in the videos, but Logan fears that they'll ruin his professional reputation along with his chances of returning to the NHL. 
 
Parker Douglas, the Appies' social media manager, is the mastermind behind the team's viral video success and an old acquaintance of Logan's. He was best friends with her older brother (and her secret crush) until he ghosted them after being drafted at 18. Parker has problems of her own; the charity gala celebrating her wealthy father's birthday is coming up, and he wants to arrange a date for her with the odious son of one of his business associates. She makes up a fake date to try and get out of the setup, and when pressured for a name, blurts out the first one that comes to mind: Logan Barnes. Now she'll just have to convince him to go along with her plan...and try not to fall in love with him all over again in the process.

The slow burn in this story was absolutely delicious and featured some of the hottest almost kisses I've ever read. The sparks between Logan and Parker practically flew off the page, and I couldn't wait for them to finally give into what they were feeling. I also loved their witty banter and adorable superhero nicknames for each other. They made a fantastic couple and their HEA was well deserved.
 
I highly recommend "Just Don't Fall" for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. The Sweater Weather series is off to a tremendous start and I can't wait to find out what's coming next!
 
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

 
About "Just Don't Fall"

Before Logan Barnes was hockey’s hottest bad boy, he was my brother’s best friend … and my first crush. Oh, yeah--and the guy who ghosted me and broke my teenage heart.

Now Logan is back in Harvest Hollow, but not willingly. Recovering from an injury (and some bad press), he’s stuck playing for our minor league team.

Which means I’ll be working with him almost daily.

As the hockey team's social media manager, it’s my job to wrangle all the guys into filming TikTok trending videos. But Logan doesn’t want to be wrangled.

Turns out … neither does my heart.

Because my old crush never died.

And when Logan becomes my accidental fake boyfriend, those old feelings flare hot enough to melt the ice.

But this is all totally one-sided. Isn’t it? Totally fake.

No matter what signals he seems to be giving me or how real things start to feel, I know Logan’s not home for good.

I survived Logan leaving me once. But this time, I’m not so sure my heart will recover …

Just Don't Fall is a small town, closed door hockey romcom with all the fake dating, brother's best friend vibes. You'll get smoking chemistry and characters to root for but no spice. (Yes, you read that right--a low spice hockey romance.) Perfect for fans of sports romance who want a bit less heat. 
 

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Review: "(Not So) Famous in Paradise" by Brittany Larsen

(Not So) Famous in Paradise: A Fake Dating Sweet Romantic Comedy (Not So) Famous in Paradise: A Fake Dating Sweet Romantic Comedy by Brittany Larsen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Design expert Georgia Beck is back in her hometown of Paradise, Idaho to chronicle the renovation of the lake resort she inherited from her late grandmother for a new reality show. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy about her plans to reopen the Little Copenhagen Resort, concerned about the impact of increased tourism on their small town. Fortunately, she has the support of her lifelong best friend, real estate agent Zach Thomsen, who's agreed to partner with Georgia to sell the updated cottages and develop the condos she plans to add to the resort. Zach and Georgia have never been more than friends, but the playful, flirty energy between them soon has her social media followers believing that they're an item. The network wants them to lean into the buzz and pretend that they're dating to boost the show's ratings. The only problem is that Zach thinks he's already found "The One" - and it's not Georgia, who's suddenly realized that her feelings for Zach are more than just pretend. Can she find a way out of this situation without risking her business or her heart?

Georgia and Zach were incredibly likeable, three-dimensional protagonists, and their story gave me all the feels. They were both hiding so many insecurities beneath the surface, and I couldn't help but sympathize with many of their fears. Zach, for example, worried that Georgia had chosen to partner with him only because they were friends, not because he brought much value to the table. He also had a tough time believing that she would ever see him as a potential romantic partner because he had chosen to stay behind in their small town, while she went away to college and built a successful career in Los Angeles. That couldn't have been further from the truth, though she did share some of his concerns about risking their friendship if they gave into their romantic feelings. Once they worked through their respective baggage, they finally realized that they were perfect for each other, and I loved cheering them on to their HEA.

Overall, I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story and highly recommend it for all sweet/closed-door contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I 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: "Wallflower in Bloom" by Elise Kennedy

Wallflower in Bloom Wallflower in Bloom by Elise Kennedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When her celebrity crush, British actor Jack Grant, needs a place to stay, flower shop owner Violet Parker opens her home - and her heart.

Jack's in the small town of Fairwick Falls, Pennsylvania to hide from the paparazzi after a scandal that's jeopardized his contract with the network. Looking for a way to reassure them that he'll be on his best behavior until his show goes back into production, Jack impulsively invents a fake girlfriend using Violet's description. He doesn't expect his agent to show up and plan a series of photo ops to sell the story, however. Now he'll have to convince Violet to go along with the plan, which won't be easy considering her fear of being in the public eye. He'll also have to figure out how to honor his promise to his old friend Gray, Violet's sister Rose's boyfriend, who made Jack promise that he wouldn't pursue her. Jack's been attracted to Violet since the moment they met, but his playboy reputation exists for good reason. But Violet's not as sweet and innocent as everyone seems to think she is. Could she actually be the woman Jack's been waiting for all along?

There was a ton of chemistry between Violet and Jack, but it was easy to see how much they genuinely liked each other too. Their relationship was a relatively slow burn until about 50%, but it got very steamy very quickly after that. (You may need a fan!) Violet and Jack were both likeable, three-dimensional characters, but I particularly related to Violet, who reminded me of myself in many respects. I have the exact same issues when shopping for clothing, and while I'm not quite as bad as Violet was with public speaking, I do get extremely nervous! It was very easy to root for her, and I loved seeing how much confidence she gained over the course of the story.

Overall, I adored this funny and sweet yet steamy story. I highly recommend "Wallflower in Bloom" for all fans of spicy contemporary romance and romantic comedy 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: "Changed" by Elise Faber

Changed Changed by Elise Faber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'll be honest: This story is not going to be for everyone because the content may be triggering. However, for those readers willing and able to take the ride, it is absolutely worth it. The story's twists and turns had me at the edge of my seat until the very last page, and ultimately broke my heart and put it back together again within just a few short hours. Mads and Lucas had to fight for their happy ending, but they could not have deserved it more.

I highly recommend "Changed" for all contemporary/sports romance fans, though again, with a nod to the content warnings. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

CW: Addiction; Rape; Abortion; Gun Violence

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Release Blitz + Review: "The Love Plot" by Samantha Young

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz celebrating "The Love Plot" by Samantha Young.

When Star Meadows and Rafe Whitman meet at his niece's birthday party, they don't exactly hit it off. He disparages her job as a costumed character actor, and while she would normally try to let such things go, she can't help pushing back. As she's walking away from the encounter, she accidentally overhears a conversation between him and his sister-in-law and learns that at least some of his grumpiness is due to exhaustion from a rough night at work, as well as frustration with his family's incessant matchmaking efforts. 
 
A few days later, Star is working her second job as a professional line sitter when she happens to see Rafe again and decides to tease him. She couldn't be more surprised when he responds by giving her his business card and telling her to call him if she's interested in making a lot of money. As it turns out, Rafe is looking to hire a temporary fake girlfriend to get a break from the constant setups and offers Star $10,000 per month to take the job. She's been feeling restless and dreaming of taking time off to go on an extended cross-country road trip, so despite her reservations, she agrees. The relationship may be fake, but the attraction between Rafe and Star is very real. Could real feelings be far behind?
 
I expected to enjoy this book, but I was honestly blown away by how much I loved it. The witty banter between Rafe and Star was pitch perfect, and the slow burn chemistry had me at the edge of my seat until the moment it finally boiled over. There was no way these two should have worked as a couple, but somehow they just fit, and I was rooting for them the whole way.

I highly recommend "The Love Plot" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to picking up more of Samantha Young's books in the future.
 
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley/Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
 
About "The Love Plot"

There’s a magnetic attraction when a happy-go-lucky gig worker agrees to a fake relationship with a rich, uptight New Yorker in this steamy romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.

Star Shine Meadows is all about freedom, thanks to the hippie parents who raised her. Juggling her jobs as a professional costume character actor and a line sitter, she believes in no expectations, no stressful ambitions, and no-strings-attached relationships. So when she meets a birthday girl’s grumpy uncle while working a princess party, she can’t help but needle him. She’ll never see him again, and honestly, he's pretty hot.

Rafe Whitman may be a veterinarian with a great bedside manner, but that doesn’t mean his patience extends to anyone with opposable thumbs. His family will not stop nagging him about finding “the one,” so when he runs into obnoxiously cheery Star again, he makes her an offer: He’ll pay her more than she would make doing her odd jobs if she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend at family gatherings. She can stop sitting in line waiting for someone else’s new phone, and he’ll get his family off his back.

When the tension between them heats to a breaking point, Star’s desire for "no strings" is tested against Rafe’s staunch stability. They say opposites attract, after all.... 
 

Monday, August 28, 2023

Review: "Shattered Truths" by H. Hunting

I'm thrilled to celebrate the release of "Shattered Truths" by Helena Hunting (writing as H. Hunting), book #3 of the Lies, Hearts & Truths series. Characters from the previous books (as well as the earlier Pucked series) make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.
 
Like the previous two books of this series, "Shattered Truths" was quite the emotional roller coaster, but I couldn't put it down. Main characters Winter Marks and Randall "BJ" Ballistic III (son of Randy and Lily from "Pucked Over") were incredibly likeable and three-dimensional. Their chemistry was phenomenal, and I liked that it was a slower build - not really a slow burn, but they definitely hit all the bases before heading for home! I also appreciated the way they communicated with each other; they had the hard conversations, and it only made them stronger as a couple.
 
Overall, Winter and BJ's story was my personal favorite of the series and I adored it. I highly recommend this book for all fans of angsty/emotional contemporary romance and look forward to whatever Hunting writes next.
 
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
CW: Domestic Abuse
 

About "Shattered Truths"

The first time I met Winter Marks, I almost took her out with my Jeep.
To be fair, she came out of nowhere.

I flirted with her, and she flipped me off and disappeared into the woods on her bike.
But she left me a souvenir: a single hockey skate.

Seemed to me that divine intervention shouldn’t be ignored.

She was my icy Cinderella and I would be her Prince Not-So-Charming.

Winter was more than just a sassy, badass hockey-playing hottie.
She’s stuck in a prison of a life. And I’m the perfect escape.

Neither of us expected to fall.
Or for the truth to shatter us. 
 

Blog Tour + Review: "The Law of Attraction" by Laura Carter

Thanks so much to Boldwood Books for inviting me to participate in the blog tour celebrating "The Law of Attraction" by Laura Carter, book #1 of the Brits in Manhattan series. (This book was previously published as "Balancing the Scales" in 2017, but I believe it has been revised and updated.)

Hotshot attorney Drew Harrington brings in more business than anyone else in his elite Manhattan law firm, so when one of the named partners announces his retirement, Drew is certain that he'll be the one selected to replace him. His friend and mentor, Marty, isn't so sure, however; Drew's cocky attitude has alienated some of their colleagues and may prevent them from voting for him. If Drew doesn't find a way to win them over, he could lose the promotion to his less qualified but more personable rival, Patrick. 
 
Drew's attitude is on full display the morning he meets British pastry chef Becky Fletcher at his favorite bagel truck. Becky recently relocated to New York for a fresh start, and while she and Drew don't exactly hit it off, they manage to work through their differences and even become friends of a sort. When he learns of her plan to explore the city's tourist attractions, he impulsively offers to join her. Spending time with Becky brings out Drew's softer side, and against his will, he finds himself falling for her. But he can't afford to lose focus on what matters to him the most: the promotion. Can he find a way to balance work and a relationship?
 
At first, I wasn't sure if I would like Drew because he came across as such an arrogant, entitled jerk. The author did a good job of showing that there was hope for him to change, however; he generally recognized when he was being a jerk and felt bad about it afterwards. As a result, while I didn't always like his actions, I did like Drew as a character. As for Becky, it was a bit tougher to get to know her because so much of the story was narrated from Drew's perspective. There were only four chapters from Becky's POV, and three of them took place in the past. I certainly empathized with everything she'd been through, and she seemed to come a long way over the course of the story, but I wish we'd gotten more of her POV in the present to really understand and appreciate that journey.
 
Becky's past was quite traumatic, and the content of her chapters could be upsetting for some readers. I read an advance copy of the book and did not see any included content warnings, though they may have been added in the published version. Also, both Drew and Becky made comments that came across as fat phobia/food shaming to me, which I didn't appreciate. It was overall a good story, however, and I enjoyed it.

I'd recommend "The Law of Attraction" for all contemporary romance fans (though it's a good idea to check the content warnings first) and look forward to the next book in the series.
 
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Rachel's Random Resources. All opinions expressed are my own.   
 
CW: Domestic Abuse; Miscarriage
 
 
About "The Law of Attraction"

A Hotshot Manhattan Attorney.

Drew Harrington knows exactly who he is—a legal shark with a love ‘em and leave ‘em attitude that works just fine in his cutthroat world. He’s on the cusp of being named a partner in his firm, but only if he can prove to his colleagues that he has a more human side.

A Sweetheart of a British Patisserie Chef.


Becky Fletcher is running from her past, so the last thing she’s looking for is love. What she does want is a friendly face in a cold city. Her sunny outlook is perfect opposite to Drew’s hard exterior, but can she afford to let down her guard?

One fateful meeting at a bagel cart.

They sound like a match made in heaven—or is it a car crash? 
 

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "S’more Than a Feeling" by Marika Ray

Today, I'm delighted to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "S'more Than a Feeling" by Marika Ray, book #2 of the Blueball Band of Brothers series. Characters from the previous book make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.
 
After being discharged from the Army, Lincoln Angelo decides to settle down near his childhood friend Bain in the small town of Auburn Hill, aka Hell. He hasn't even been in town for 24 hours when a prank gone awry ends with a herd of cats on the loose, and he teams up with an attractive new acquaintance, Keva Mooney, to help get them back home. Several hours later, their steamy hookup is interrupted by the surprise arrival of Linc's best friend - and Keva's older brother - Boston, who hadn't realized that his sister had also moved to Auburn Hill. After he punches Linc, Boston makes him promise that he'll stay away from Keva; even though he can't stop thinking about her, Linc agrees. He leaves town to rejoin the Army so that he won't be tempted to pursue her, and several weeks later, what she thought was a stomach virus turns out to be a baby on the way.
 
Five years later, Lincoln is finally out of the Army for good and headed to one of Auburn Hill's neighboring towns, Blueball, for a job at a glamping resort. He's never forgotten about Keva, so with Boston's blessing, he plans to track her down and ask for another chance. Now that Linc's working for her best friend's husband, it's only a matter of time before they run into each other and he figures out the secret she's been keeping: Lucas, their nearly 4-year-old son. Learning that he's a father makes Linc more determined than ever to win Keva over, but she's afraid to trust him. Can Linc prove to Keva that he won't leave her ever again?
 
This sweet and swoony story gave me all the feels! I completely understood why Keva was so hesitant to let Linc back into her life, but his desire to be there for her and Lucas was obviously genuine. I loved the way her walls gradually came down as she realized that she didn't have to do everything on her own anymore. The book's secondary characters were also a ton of fun and added a great deal of depth and humor to the story, particularly Keva's best friend Paisley and her husband Gannon. Linc and Gannon ended up developing quite the bromance, which turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the book.

I highly recommend "S'more Than a Feeling" for all steamy rom-com fans and look forward to the next book in the series.
 
*Review copy provided by the author via Enticing Journey Book Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.   

 
About "S’more Than a Feeling"

I think I just slept with Mr. Perfect. Too bad he turned out to be my brother’s best friend.

The tattooed stranger rode a motorcycle while helping me collect stray cats. My boots gave me blisters and he carried me on his back. I needed help and he didn’t ask questions before assisting me. Could there be a more perfect man? It just made sense to lick him and claim him as mine right then and there.

I probably should have asked him more questions before we slept together.

Like, what’s your last name? Where’ve you been living before moving here to my hometown? Is my older brother your best friend?

You know. Those kinds of questions.

But sadly, I didn’t. And now I’m staring at two pink lines and Mr. Perfect is nowhere to be found, leaving me brokenhearted and on my own. Even though I love my son with every fiber of my being, he’s also a daily reminder that I’ve made the worst mistake of my life.

It’s only years later when Mr. Perfect shows up in town again that I begin to see that I was never in love with him back then.

But I might be now.
 
 
Read an Excerpt from "S'more Than a Feeling"

I’d successfully avoided him all day. Probably because he’d been building a pergola with Gannon on the far side of Glamper’s Paradise. Not that I’d been watching him hard enough to notice the sweat pattern on the back of his shirt or how his muscles flexed while holding up planks of wood. Nope. I was too busy moving in for that.

“I want in, Keva.”

Damn him and that smooth-as-whiskey deep voice. It gave me shivers and made me think of hot, dirty kisses out in the woods.

“What?”

“I read the letter you sent me, and I swear I never saw it.” Linc stood and walked toward me, looking older, but also just as handsome as I’d remembered him all those years ago. “If I’d seen the letter, I would have opened it. I can promise you that. I would never have left you and Lucas on your own. I can’t roll back the clock, but I can be here now. Let me in. Please.”

I had to squeeze my eyes shut to keep him out. I’d wanted to hear those words so badly when I was pregnant with Lucas. It was years too late, but the girls were right. I needed to let him back into our lives. For Lucas’s sake. To be a father for Lucas, not a partner for me. With my walls firmly in place, I opened my eyes again.

“I think Lucas would like that.”

Linc crowded closer. I could see the scruff on his chin that hadn’t been there before. “And what about his mama?”

I swallowed hard. He did not mean what my stupid heart wanted him to mean. I knew this and yet my heart kept pounding out a rhythm of hope.

“I want what’s best for Lucas.”

Linc nodded. “You’re a good mom, Keva. Lucas is lucky to have you.”

I didn’t want it to, but that simple statement soothed some emotional wounds I didn’t know I had. I didn’t want his praise to mean anything, but it did. “Thank you.”

Linc reached up, his big hand tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear. His barely there touch sent my limbs trembling. “I’m asking you to give me a chance to be a good dad. It’s only fair.”

I had to lock my knees and clench my hands into fists to keep from leaning into that hand of his. 
 

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Review: "Lesson Learned" by Katie Cawood

Happy Release Day to author Katie Cawood, whose debut novel "Lesson Learned" is now available!

After several years in the classroom, fifth grade teacher Owen Gardner is burned out from the daily grind. He's also finding it difficult to balance the demands of teaching with his side hustle, an increasingly popular STEM podcast for teachers. Just as he's making the difficult decision to resign at the end of the school year to focus on the podcast, the school principal announces his impending retirement and asks Owen to consider applying for the job. 
 
Complicating Owen's decision is his close friendship with fellow fifth grade teacher (and secret crush) Sarah Lavely; if he leaves, he'll no longer get to see Sarah every day, but if he stays on as principal, he'll have to give up his podcast. He'd also be giving up any hope of someday being with Sarah because dating a subordinate is against the rules. Sarah, meanwhile, has only recently started to realize that there's a spark between her and Owen - a problem because she has a long-term boyfriend, high school football coach Eli. Her friendship with Owen is too important to give up, but can they keep their feelings from crossing the line?
 
I loved Sarah and Owen's story so much! Their flirty, playful dynamic was balanced with just the right amount of pining and angst, as well as a delicious slow burn chemistry that built to the perfect payoff. I was rooting for them from the start, no matter the (not insignificant) obstacles that stood in their way.

I highly recommend "Lesson Learned" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. It's a tremendously impressive debut and I can't wait to find out what Cawood comes up with next. 
 
*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
 
About "Lesson Learned"

Sarah is a fifth-grade teacher whose heart is even bigger than her favorite oversized coffee mug. With unwavering determination, Sarah makes it her personal goal to help Bentley, the class bully, find a sense of belonging—even if it means giving up her prep time to sponsor yet another school club. Helping Bentley make friends proves to be an even bigger challenge than she expected. Thankfully, she has Owen, her teacher bestie across the hall, who’s always there for a vent session or a shared piece of cheesecake.

This year, Owen is struggling to balance teaching with his increasingly popular STEM podcast. When the prospect of becoming principal falls into his lap, he has a difficult decision to make: should he play it safe and accept the position, or take a risk and make the podcast his full-time gig? Becoming principal would take away any possibility of turning his crush on Sarah into something more completely off the table. Forever.

Owen and Sarah’s friendship is complicated. Everybody seems to have an opinion about their closeness—from Sarah’s boyfriend, Eli, to meddling students trying to play matchmaker. But nobody is as confused by their relationship as Sarah and Owen themselves. This year, things start to get a little messy, forcing them to address their unspoken feelings once and for all.

Content warnings: sexually descriptive scenes, frequent swearing, alcohol & cannabis use, emotional affair 
 

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Release Blitz + Review: "Tight Spot" by Stacey Lynn

I'm excited to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Tight Spot" by Stacey Lynn, book #3 of the Nashville Steel series. Characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Despite the drama she brings into his life, professional football player Dawson Butler has always supported his sister Crystal because of a promise he made when they were kids. He's all out of patience after her latest stunt gets him arrested, however. With his position as a member of the Nashville Steel in jeopardy, Dawson decides to cut Crystal off, but that's not the end of his problems; the team wants to see that he's settling down, which means he needs a girlfriend, fast. He swore off relationships after witnessing the fallout from his parents' disastrous marriage, so based on a suggestion from his teammates, Dawson turns to a local matchmaker for help in finding a fake girlfriend. Surprisingly, the matchmaker suggests her best friend, Hailey Parillo. She's been avoiding dating ever since being left at the altar by her cheating fiance, and her friends think it's time for Hailey to get back out there. She's willing to go along with Dawson's plan, but she wants something from him, too: help losing her V-card.

This book didn't pack quite as much of an emotional punch as the first two of the series, though it was still a entertaining read. Hailey and Dawson had great chemistry and seemed well matched in terms of personality, but there were things about each of their characters that annoyed me. For Hailey, it was that she was so clueless. I couldn't understand how she consistently managed to miss important things that were happening around her. For Dawson, it bothered me that he went on and on about what an idiot Hailey's ex was for letting her go when he planned to do the exact same thing just a few short months later. Fortunately, he worked through enough of his emotional baggage to deliver a phenomenal grovel after screwing up, and they ended up in a good place.
 
Despite those few frustrations, I'd recommend "Tight Spot" for all fans of angsty/emotional contemporary romance and look forward to Stacey Lynn's next release.
 
*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
 

About "Tight Spot"

When a fake relationship feels a little too real…. I’m in a Tight Spot.

I’m not a nice guy. I’m too rude. Too gruff. I want to be left alone and stay in my lane as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Too bad management has a sudden problem with my image and all the fines I’ve been racking up.

Now I’m told I need to settle down, shape up…or they’re shipping me out.

Except no playbook could have prepared me for the Hail Mary pass they threw at me:

Enter Hailey Parillo. My fake girlfriend. She’s the Sunshine to my Grump, the Sweet to my Sour and the Smile to my Scowl. As ridiculous as it is, she agrees to play this fake game with me, for something in return:

Lessons in seducing a man and losing her virginity.

I almost balk at the idea, but I've got a career I don't want to lose in a city I don't want to leave.

AND little did I know this is the most important game of my life. 
 

Review: "Son of a Peach" by Claire Hastings

Happy Release Day to author Claire Hastings! "Son of a Peach" is part of the multi-author Candy Cane Key series and also ties into the Hickory Hills series, but works well as a standalone.
 
Cary Adler, chief horticulturalist for Hayes Industries, is on his way to deliver a shipment of peaches to a festival called Peach on the Beach on Florida's Candy Cane Key, an island featuring year-round holiday decor. He arrives to find that the festival isn't quite what he expected: The "peach" in question is actually a reference to the cheeky emoji, not the fruit. Cary's ready to take his peaches and go home, but Tizzy Pullman, artisan chocolatier and one of the festival's organizers, needs him to stay. She impulsively tells Cary that the festival's proceeds will support the town's after-school program for at-risk youth, which doesn't actually exist. As they work together to prepare for the festival, the instant attraction between Cary and Tizzy heats up. Secretly, they both want more than just a fling, but what happens when he finds out about her lie?
 
This novella was so much fun! The chemistry and banter between Tizzy and Cary was pitch perfect, and I was honestly sad at the prospect of them having to go their separate ways at the end of the festival. I'm not usually a fan of stories based on insta-love, but this one worked for me because their personalities were so complementary. I hope to see more of them in future books of the Hickory Hills series.

I highly recommend "Son of a Peach" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to whatever the author comes up with next. 

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

 
About "Son of a Peach"

Peaches, Beaches, and a whole lot of misunderstanding...this hero has his work cut out for him!

Peaches are my life.
I’m talking about the sweet, fuzzy fruit that represents my home state of Georgia—not the emoji that most people use for a different peach. If you know what I mean...
When there’s the chance to show off my peaches at a Christmas-themed island for the Peach on the Beach festival, it’s a no-brainer.
Then I arrive in Candy Cane Key.
Turns out, they aren’t celebrating my favorite fruit. Nope. This event is about that other type of peach.
To make matters worse, I can’t stop thinking about the event organizer, the local chocolatier—Tizzy. And that’s exactly what she’s worked my insides into.
The strawberry blonde wild child is my exact opposite in every way. Someone I know I should stay away from. Yet, I can’t.
There’s no harm in a little fling, right?

Son of a Peach is an opposites attract, insta-love, fun in the sun novella about an uptight horticulturist and a happy-go-lucky chocolatier with a guaranteed HEA.

Monday, August 14, 2023

Release Blitz + Review: "The Proposal" by Adriana Locke

Today, I'm happy to take part in the release blitz celebrating "The Proposal" by Adriana Locke.

When Blakely Evans heads to Las Vegas to celebrate her recent promotion and upcoming 30th birthday, she's expecting a fun and relaxing weekend with her best friend, Ella. Instead, her older brother Brock decides to crash their girls' weekend along with his own best friend, professional rugby player Renn Brewer, so that he can make up with girlfriend Ella after a fight. Left to their own devices while Brock and Ella are "making up," Renn and Blakely wind up drunk - and accidentally married. News of their wedding quickly spreads through social media, but Renn can't afford another scandal after getting into trouble with his old team. To minimize the damage to his reputation, he proposes that they stay married for 90 days to let the story die down before quietly separating. For reasons of her own, Blakely agrees, but will she be able to protect her heart when she learns that Renn isn't the player she always thought he was?
 
Renn and Blakely were such a fun couple! I adored their steamy chemistry and witty banter, as well as how sweetly protective he was of her. It never came across as over the top or controlling, but rather as an honest expression of how much he cared. I also LOVED the cameo appearance from a certain character from another series (who I won't name because it's a spoiler). Renn's siblings were terrific supporting characters too; I'd love to see them get stories of their own in the future.
 
I highly recommend "The Proposal" for all steamy contemporary romance and rom-com fans and look forward to whatever Adriana Locke writes next.
 
*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
 
About "The Proposal"

An unexpected proposal occurs when a Vegas oops marriage turns into a marriage of convenience between a rugby player and his best friend's little sister.

The Proposal by Adriana Locke is now live!

Breaking News: Rugby’s bad boy marries his best friend’s little sister

If Renn Brewer would’ve asked me to marry him, I would’ve said no.

Why?

One, his reputation precedes him. His name is in the headlines at least once a month. Two, he’s not just my brother’s best friend. They’re teammates. And three, I’m in my self-care era.

Unfortunately, a version of me equates self-care with bad choices.

The cocktail in my hand—similar to the one that got me into this situation—is the prettiest shade of pink. It’s almost the same color as the giant rock on my left hand. And instead of discussing an annulment, I’m considering a 90-day marriage of convenience to the man I accidentally married in Las Vegas.

Renn didn’t propose marriage. But he does deliver a proposal I might be unable to turn down. 
 

Thursday, August 10, 2023

Review: "Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love" by Ellie Hall

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love by Ellie Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Returning to her hometown of Butterbury, Georgia after traveling the world for almost twenty years, Louella Belle Barnes is in desperate need of a job - any job. After striking out locally, she decides to enter a national home improvement show's competition for a new co-host. She may not have much in the way of construction experience, but she does have a positive attitude, and it's carried her through tougher challenges than this. What could she have to lose?

Meanwhile, the current host of the show, Bo Boone aka Mr. Fix-It, is in the midst of finalizing a contentious divorce. He's had enough of the spotlight after his ex-wife publicly humiliated him and secretly plans to leave the show once they've chosen a new co-host. Sparks fly as soon as Bo and Ella Belle meet, but he backs off when he learns that she's one of the contestants. Dating on set is against the rules, and besides, how can Bo trust that Ella Belle won't break his heart just like his ex did?

I've been reading the Home Sweet Home series out of order, so I've gotten to know Bo and Louella Belle from other stories. I really enjoyed going back to the beginning and learning more about how they met, as well as how she started working with the other "Ladybosses," Mae, Camellia, and Christina. Bo and Ella Belle could not have been cuter together, and I particularly loved learning more about her adventures in the years she was away from Butterbury. I've always known she had a big heart, but it was even more obvious after reading this story.

I highly recommend "Mr. and Mrs. Fix-It Find Love" (and the entire Home Sweet Home series) for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to find out what the author comes up with next!

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

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Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Review: "Cupid's Quest Season One" by Pru Warren

Cupid's Quest Season One

Cupid's Quest Season One by Pru Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jocelyn O'Neil is nervous but excited when she's selected to be a contestant on a new "reality adventure show" that turns out to be nothing like what she expected. Arriving in Los Angeles, Joss and the other contestants are informed that Cupid's Quest is also a dating show, and the cameras will be turned on 24/7 (even in the bathroom!). Joss is ready to quit until she learns that the show's winning couple will split a prize of $10 million. Not only that, each contestant will be paid $10,000 per week for 8 weeks of filming. Her family needs the money, so Joss reluctantly accepts the terms. Later that day, she and her fellow contestants are en route to their first quest. Adventures - and maybe true love - await...

For some reason I dislike watching reality TV but love reading books that are based on what goes on behind the scenes, and this one was SO. MUCH. FUN. The story's twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end, and the slow burn romance at the heart of it was sweet yet perfectly steamy. The dialogue was witty, the secondary characters were amusing and played an important role in the story, and the quests were at times both jaw-dropping and hilarious.

Overall, this story was truly a breath of fresh air, and I can't recommend it highly enough for all steamy 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.

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Monday, August 7, 2023

Release Blitz + Review: "Hideaway Heart" by Melanie Harlow

I'm happy to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Hideaway Heart" by Melanie Harlow, book #2 of the Cherry Tree Harbor series. Characters from the previous book make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

After several years working in personal security, former Navy SEAL Xander Buckley moves back to his Michigan hometown to open a sports bar. He's scrambling to get everything ready for the grand opening when he receives a call from his old friend, fellow Navy SEAL Kevin Sullivan, asking for a favor. Kevin's sister Kelly Jo, better known as country music star Pixie Hart, is taking a much-needed vacation following a long, grueling tour. She insists she's fine on her own, but her brother disagrees. She's constantly stalked by paparazzi and overzealous fans, and Kevin worries that Kelly Jo won't be safe in the vacation home she's rented near Cherry Tree Harbor. He asks Xander to take a temporary position as her bodyguard. It's terrible timing, but Xander owes Kevin for saving his life years ago, so he agrees. Kelly Jo, however, is none too happy to see Xander when he shows up unannounced as she's stepping out of the shower; she tries to fire him, but he refuses to leave. It's only the beginning of their battle of wills - and maybe something more if she can let her guard down enough to trust him.
 
Sparks flew between Xander and Kelly Jo from the moment they met, setting up a fantastic slow burn romance with a payoff that was more than worth the wait. Kelly Jo had good reason to be mistrustful, but there was more to flirty Xander than it seemed. He was cocky, but he had the goods to back it up, and he did a great job of helping her gain the confidence she needed to stand up for herself and what she wanted. They made a wonderful couple and I was rooting for them the whole way. 

Overall, I very much enjoyed this funny, sweet, and perfectly steamy story. I highly recommend "Hideaway Heart" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to the next book in the series.
 
*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.   


About "Hideaway Heart"

She's a country music star trying to escape the spotlight. He's the scorching hot bodyguard she doesn't want on her vacation. And there's only one bed.

Hideaway Heart by Melanie Harlow is now live!


All I wanted was a break—two weeks off from being Pixie Hart, country music sensation, and fourteen days of peace, privacy, and solitude as plain old Kelly Jo Sullivan.

But thanks to some overzealous paparazzi, my family refuses to let me go anywhere alone, and I’m stuck sharing this tiny cabin with a tall, dark, and bearded bodyguard.

And guess what? There’s only one bed.

Well, he can couch it.

Xander Buckley might be hotter than a stolen blow torch, and I get that he’s a former Navy SEAL and all, but the man gives new meaning to the words overbearing, overprotective, bossy alpha male. I can’t even post a photo on social media without him warning me it’s not safe, or take a morning jog without him following behind.

But he’s made it clear that what he says goes, and if I don’t like it, I can kiss my vacation goodbye.

Instead, I end up kissing him.

I don’t even know how it happened—one minute we were at each other’s throats, the next we were at each other’s mercy. What’s even more shocking is how good we are together. He understands my need for freedom, and I understand his need for control.

But emotional trust doesn’t come easily to me. And we’re on two completely different paths.

Without question, I’d put my life in his hands.

Just don’t ask me to give him my heart.
 

Friday, August 4, 2023

Review: "Charm and Conquer" by Katharine Sadler

Charm and Conquer Charm and Conquer by Katharine Sadler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Personal trainer and fitness influencer Clover Weston moved to the small town of Catalpa Creek with her sisters to fulfill the terms of their late father's will, which requires them to live there for a year in order to receive their inheritance. Now that they've made it almost halfway through, Clover's starting to plan for what comes next. She knows she wants to stay in Catalpa Creek but her social media growth has stagnated, so she'll need an additional source of income. When she learns that local gym owner Russell is planning to retire and has put his business up for sale, she's sure it's the perfect solution. The problem is that Asher Aldridge, one of Russell's current employees, is also interested in buying the gym. Even though Asher hasn't yet saved enough money for the purchase, Clover fears that Russell is leaning towards selling to him. Neither Asher nor Clover is willing to give up without a fight, so Russell, tired of being caught in the middle of their bickering, proposes a contest: whoever has the better time in an upcoming trail race wins the right to buy the gym. As the competition heats up (in more ways than one), a surprising twist results in them becoming training partners and more. Their feelings begin to grow, but will a secret from the past prevent them from building a future together?

The first two books of this series were fantastic, but "Charm and Conquer" was my favorite one so far! The overall tone was light and fun and there were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but there were also aspects of Clover and Asher's backstories that broke my heart. The author did a tremendous job of balancing the emotion with humor and making me empathize with them both. I loved the sparkling, witty banter and how perfectly Asher and Clover complemented each other, as well as the clever way they solved their conflict in the end.

I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

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

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Thursday, August 3, 2023

Release Blitz + Review: "Right Guy, Wrong Word" by Jewel E. Ann

I'm thrilled to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Right Guy, Wrong Word" by Jewel E. Ann. It was originally published as a short story called "The Last Person" but has now been revised and expanded into a full-length novel.
 
When Eric Steinmann moves into the apartment building where she lives with her roommate, Anna Black is quickly smitten. He seems like the perfect guy - until he joins their book club and insults her favorite book. Despite their difference of opinion, Eric manages to talk Anna into a coffee date, and she finds herself reluctantly charmed as he introduces her to his "mating dance." But can she ever get past his dislike of a story that feels like part of her soul? 

I very much enjoyed this uniquely funny story, which took quite a few twists and turns before arriving at Anna and Eric's HEA. At first I didn't understand why she made such a big deal of their difference of opinion over the book, but as the story progressed, everything started to make sense. Anna had some growing up to do before she was ready to be with Eric, but I loved how they came back together in the second half of the story.

I highly recommend "Right Guy, Wrong Word" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to the author's next release. 
 
*Review copy provided by the author via Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.
 
 
About "Right Guy, Wrong Word"

He was almost perfect.

Right Guy, Wrong Word by Jewel E. Ann is now live!

Do books have souls?

Anna Black has the perfect novel choice for her book club. She also has a sexy new neighbor who jumps at the opportunity to join fellow bookworms in discussing her pick for their summer read.

It’s lust at first sight and the marriage of two literary souls.

The charismatic owner of a new T-shirt store in Des Moines’s East Village, Eric Steinmann, has a confident air and an irresistible “mating dance.” He’s almost perfect … until he says the wrong word.

Will Anna and Eric write their own story? Or will their chemistry die when fiction turns into reality?

**Right Guy, Wrong Word was originally written as a short story, The Last Person. It’s been revised with significant changes to the original content and extended into a full-length novel.