Release Blitz + Review: "Mr. Big Shot" by R.S. Grey

Today, I'm excited to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Mr. Big Shot" by R.S. Grey.

For Scarlett Elwood, starting a new job as an associate in the mergers and acquisitions department of the law firm her father co-founded is the culmination of a lifelong dream. She's wanted to be an attorney since she was a child and won't let anything stand in her way - especially her new boss, Hudson Rhodes, who seems to delight in his reputation as the company villain. Sparks fly from the moment they meet, and both are determined to come out on top. But what happens when their animosity turns into attraction?

This book was so much fun! Scarlett and Hudson's witty banter kept me laughing and turning the pages quickly, as did the deliciously slow burn of their growing chemistry. When they finally acted on their feelings, the payoff was totally worth the wait. They were perfectly matched in every way and I loved cheering them on to their HEA.

 

I highly recommend this story for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait for R.S. Grey's next release!

 

*Review copy provided by the author via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.     

About "Mr. Big Shot"

Biting banter, fake relationships, and illicit workplace rendezvous--anything goes in this romantic comedy from USA Today bestselling author R.S. Grey.

While most little girls grow up idolizing Ariel or Belle, I was banging a plastic gavel and pretending to be Judge Judy. I spent my summers divorcing Barbie and Ken and splitting their Dreamhouse assets. Now, my goal to become the very best acquisitions lawyer at the top firm in Chicago is within reach.

I'm one month into my big-girl job at Elwood Hoyt, venti Starbucks in hand, ready to take on the day. The sleek elevator doors are about to close...then he steps in after me. Hudson Rhodes—the one senior partner I was told to avoid at all costs—just so happens to be the heartless villain I'm assigned to work under.

Ever since he found out who I am—the Scarlett Elwood—we've been enemies, the sort who constantly bicker and bark, take jabs in the boardroom, and occasionally pop up shirtless in each other's steamy dreams. Y'know, that kind. He has to know I could run to my dad at any time and demand his firing, but his confident smirk says he knows I'd never give him the satisfaction.

The elevator chimes as we reach our floor, and I feel his broad shoulders pull even with mine. Fury mixes with fear, hatred with lust. He turns to briefly hold my gaze before confidently stepping out in front. His message is clear:

If I want to reach my goal, I'm going to have to go through him first.

 

Review: "Bad Business" by Elise Faber

Bad Business by Elise Faber
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've been struggling to write this review because my feelings about this book are kind of all over the place. I definitely didn't hate it, but there were a number of things that didn't work for me. What did work? Maddie and Rome. I genuinely liked them both and thought they were good together, though I wish there had been more of a foundation established for their relationship. There was a bit too much telling of their history and not enough showing, and as such, their feelings for each other felt rushed to me. Beyond that, I really liked Maddie's bond with Rome's son Jack; she connected with him in a way no one else could and helped him though what had to be a very difficult and confusing time.

The biggest thing I didn't like was Rome's massive guilt complex in relation to his ex-fiancee Carrie, Jack's mother. Usually I can put myself in a character's shoes enough to understand why they might think a certain way, but I just couldn't do it with Rome. Blaming himself and believing that he somehow failed Carrie by not finding out the truth about her accident was completely nonsensical to me. How could he possibly have known what happened when her own family didn't know? He was also missing the bigger picture, which was that Carrie had kept his son from him and he never would have known Jack existed if it weren't for her accident. She was far from perfect, and while she certainly didn't deserve what happened to her, there was no reason for Rome to drive himself crazy with guilt, either. The circumstances were completely out of his control.

Overall, if you've read and enjoyed previous books in this series, you'll probably enjoy this one too. While it's not one of my personal favorites, I remain a fan of Elise Faber and her writing and look forward to whatever she publishes next.

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "Something Like Hate" by Piper Rayne

I'm happy to participate in the release blitz celebrating "Something Like Hate" by Piper Rayne, book #1 of the Chicago Grizzlies series. It's a spinoff of the earlier Kingsmen Football Stars series and features cameo appearances from those characters, but reads as a standalone.

Professional football player Miles Cavanaugh is about to start his first full season with the Chicago Grizzlies after being traded from the San Francisco Kingsmen. The trade cost him a chance at winning the Super Bowl with his longtime teammates and friends back in San Francisco, and he's wondered ever since if the negative articles written about him by sports reporter Bryce Burns factored into the team's decision to trade him. This year, he's looking forward to a fresh start without Bryce looking over his shoulder...until his sister, who's friends with Bryce, informs Miles that she's taken a new job with a magazine based in Chicago. It's difficult to avoid her when they have friends in common, and it becomes completely impossible after she steps in to cover the Grizzlies while a colleague is on maternity leave. As the sparks between them continue to fly, will Miles and Bryce finally admit to the attraction that's hidden beneath their animosity?

 

I've been looking forward to Miles and Bryce's story ever since their characters were introduced in the Kingsmen books, and it did not disappoint. Their chemistry practically leaped off the page and the banter was a ton of fun. I particularly loved that Miles wasn't a typical playboy athlete; he genuinely wanted to settle down with a partner and start a family, something that was difficult for Bryce to contemplate after witnessing the aftermath of her parents' divorce. Her baggage nearly derailed their burgeoning relationship, but she found a way to work through it, and I was satisfied with where they ended up.

That said, there were a few plot points that didn't entirely make sense to me. For example, why would they have gone tubing/whitewater rafting in the middle of the football season? Even if there weren't a clause in the players' contracts forbidding such a thing (which I'm sure there is - too much risk of them getting hurt and being unable to play), it was late October in the Chicago area. Bryce was so cold a few nights earlier that she had to borrow Miles's jacket, plus it snowed the following week. Why on earth would anyone want to be out in the freezing water under those conditions, and in a bikini no less?

 

At any rate, Miles and Bryce were a terrific couple and aside from a few questionable plot points, I did enjoy their story. I'd recommend it for all contemporary/sports 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 "Something Like Hate"

I love him.
I loathe him.

It’s like plucking daisy petals in my head, but he’ll never know.

When Miles Cavanaugh, the best safety in the league, was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies football team last year, I could finally breathe. Temptation was miles away.

How naïve to think it would end there because when the opportunity to write for a national magazine based in Chicago lands in my lap months later, I can’t turn it down. Sure, it’s a big city, but the sexual energy feels like a beacon between us the minute my plane lands.

To make matters worse, I end up having to take over the job of reporting exclusively on the Chicago Grizzlies. Which means traveling with the team, interviewing players, and pretty much having an all-access pass to their lives during the season.

Miles and I put up a great front, quickly hating on one another, but we both know it’s a lie. We also know the rules are simple. For me, don’t sleep with the subject of your articles. For him, don’t sleep with the journalist who can make or break your career.

I thought straight-laced Miles Cavanaugh followed all the rules… oh how wrong I was.

 

Review: "Duchess Material" by Maude Winters

Congratulations to Maude Winters on the release of "Duchess Material," book #2 of the Spare Change series. Since this story builds on the events of the previous one, it's best to read them in order.

It's been several months since Lucy Chandler moved in with her friend Winston Ferguson following a messy breakup, and they've been growing closer ever since. Winston finally confessed his love for Lucy the night before she left on a month-long work trip, and now that she's home, it's time to deal with the consequences. They decide to give dating a try, but that means overcoming the opposition of Lucy's ex, Prince George. The now former heir to the British throne isn't exactly thrilled to learn that his sort-of cousin and his ex are now an item. Privately, Lucy has doubts of her own; her working class American background makes her an unlikely match for the son and heir of a duchess. Will love conquer all or is Lucy in for another heartbreak?

 

Meanwhile, Lucy's best friend and employer, Princess Natalie, is blissfully happy with retired Olympic swimmer Ed Winslow, though their love remains a secret. She knows Ed's tired of hiding their relationship, so she impulsively decides to out them to the press. It's what he thinks he wants, but is Ed really prepared for the media frenzy they're about to create?

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one of the series! Lucy and Winston's relationship moved quickly, but I have to agree with Natalie that they're one of those couples that just seems to make sense. I also loved seeing Natalie so head over heels for Ed that she's actually considering the future, meaning marriage and children. Her character has grown tremendously over the course of these two books.

I highly recommend "Duchess Material" for all royal romance fans and look forward to the next book of the series.

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

 

About "Duchess Material"

Lucy Chandler is the best friend and private secretary to the Princess of Wales. She's a palace insider, but is she ready to go the distance for the son of a duchess?

Lucy's work life is organized and supercharged, but her love life is a mess. Returning from a royal tour, Lucy must make sense of what happened with her friend and housemate, Winston Ferguson, before she left.

Winston Ferguson is the artist son of a Duchess. A devoted dog dad and friend to Lucy, he finally stopped pining and expressed his feelings for her. Lucy's hesitation has put that on pause.

Despite Lucy's growing feelings for Winston, she's not sold... yet. Her baggage from a past relationship and concerns about fitting in as an American raised in a working class household breed insecurity.

Meanwhile, Princess Natalie and her boyfriend Ed are going public. Will their relationship survive the vicious press coverage that follows them?

Will Lucy and Winston move forward as friends or lovers?

Will Natalie and Ed double down on their love story?

This follow-up to From Pilot to Princess continues the saga of the Lyons family and its beloved cast of characters. The heroines in this second book in Spare Change will have you laughing and crying. This spicy royal romance has heart, delivering on its promise of friends-to-lovers romance and the continuation of the second-chance vibes in the series debut.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Before the Sunset" by Laura Pavlov

I'm delighted to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Before the Sunset" by Laura Pavlov, book #4 of the Cottonwood Cove series. Characters from the previous books (as well as the earlier Honey Mountain series) make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

As the breakout star of a hit streaming show, actor Finn Reynolds should be on top of the world. The problem is that his costar has been telling lies in the press about him breaking her heart, even though they never actually dated. Meanwhile, Finn's lifelong best friend, interior designer Reese Murphy, is about to move back to their hometown of Cottonwood Cove after working in London for a year. She'd hoped to be planning a wedding, but instead, she's crushed to learn that her former fiance has moved on with someone else. When Finn flies to London to bring her back home, false rumors that he's in town to visit his new girlfriend go viral. His agent is thrilled, believing that it's exactly the boost his reputation needs to counteract the damage done by his costar, but Finn fully intends to set the record straight - until Reese's ex suddenly sends her a text. His jealousy makes her realize that faking a relationship could be a win for both her and Finn. They'll just have to remember that it's only pretend...

 

Finn and Reese's chemistry was truly phenomenal, though I completely understood why they (especially Reese) hesitated to risk their friendship by acting on their attraction. They both made mistakes along the way but came together when it mattered, and I loved where they ended up. I also loved the Reynolds family group texts, which were often laugh-out-loud hilarious, as well as Finn's adorable niece Gracie. I can't wait to get to know her better in her dad's forthcoming book!

I highly recommend "Before the Sunset" for all steamy contemporary romance 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.

 

CW: Cancer

 

About "Before the Sunset"

He’s an actor in need of an image makeover. She’s determined to show her ex-fiancé that she’s moved on. A fake relationship between two best friends is the perfect solution. Or is it?

Reese Murphy has been my best friend since before we took our first steps.
She’s the yin to my yang.
The peanut butter to my jelly.
It’s all platonic, of course, as we made a pact years ago that we’d never cross the line.
But then she took a job abroad and moved away for a year.
To say I’ve been lost without her would be a massive understatement.
She’s finally coming home, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
And then she presents me with a proposition...
Pretend to be her boyfriend.
I am an actor, after all, so it should be a piece of cake.
It’s all part of her grand plan to show her ex-fiancé that she’s moved on.
My agent wants me to clean up my image, so it would be a win-win for both of us.
But then she moves into my house and prances around in those tiny pajama shorts.
There's also the night she catches me alone in the bathroom in a compromising position.
And she isn’t in any hurry to leave.
We get lost in the moment and now I can’t think of anything else.
We are way past a gray area at this point.
We’ve entered a smoking-hot-I-think-I-might-be-in-love-with-my-best-friend area.
The problem is, she still thinks we’re fake dating.
And I stopped faking it a long time ago.

 

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

Cupid's Quest Season Three: Not Your Typical Romantic Comedy by Pru Warren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Popular reality adventure show Cupid's Quest is about to kick off its third season, and to make things interesting, producers have decided to invite back the "villains" of seasons one and two. Season one's returning contestant, Jane-Alice, doesn't want to be known as the villain this season, however; she's in it to win it, and she's noticed that it's the "nice" contestants who've finished first in previous competitions. But her strategy shifts when she learns that the show's new sponsor, multimillionaire businessman Tripp, will be joining them on their travels. Marrying the much older Tripp would be an even better prize than the show's offer of $5 million, but it will take careful planning... and maybe a few judicious displays of her impressive cleavage. Can Jane-Alice outmaneuver Tripp and everyone determined to keep them apart, as well as her own inconvenient feelings for someone else?

Jane-Alice wasn't necessarily the most likeable protagonist at first, possibly because she was so blatant in her manipulations and her motives were unclear. That said, the way her mind worked was fascinating to me, and the author did a terrific job of slowly revealing pieces of her past to help explain her behavior. Her character was completely redeemed by the end of the story and I loved where she ended up.

As in the previous books of the series, the twists and turns of the competition kept me guessing until the very end. The dialogue was witty, the quests were at times both jaw-dropping and hilarious, and the secondary characters were amusing and played important roles in the story. This series has truly been a breath of fresh air and I've loved every minute of it.

I highly recommend this entire series for all steamy romantic comedy fans. I can't wait for Pru Warren's next release!

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

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Blog Tour + Review: "Two to Tango" by Laura Carter

Thanks so much to Boldwood Books for inviting me to participate in the blog tour celebrating "Two to Tango" by Laura Carter, book #2 of the Brits in Manhattan series. (This book was previously published as "Playing to Win" in 2018.) Characters from the previous book make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Personal trainer Brooks Adams owns the hottest gym in New York City, and it seems everyone wants to be seen there. That includes British fitness and nutrition influencer Izzy Coulthard, who's in town to promote her new book. When Izzy's publicist, Kerry, tries to bully her way in so that Izzy can shoot a new workout video there, Brooks turns them away. He doesn't extend special treatment to anyone, and besides, he doesn't appreciate the way Kerry and Izzy treated his staff. He eventually relents, but when pre-sales of Izzy's book remain down, her publicist tells her extreme measures are necessary - in the form of an incendiary blog post calling out Brooks. The resulting comment war goes viral and ends with them agreeing to follow each other's fitness and nutrition plans for two weeks to find out which one actually works. To make sure neither of them cheats, Izzy temporarily moves in down the hall from Brooks. Their squabbling only escalates as they're forced to live in such close proximity, but could it actually be a mask for another type of tension?

Despite the differences in their workout philosophies, Brooks and Izzy were well matched, and I actually liked them together. The problem was that Izzy herself was sometimes really hard to like. Brooks certainly wasn't perfect, but IMO he did come across more sympathetically in a lot of their dealings. I couldn't believe how rude and immature some of Izzy's actions were, though to be fair, some of what happened was more her publicist's fault than hers. She grew a lot at the end of the story, however (as did Brooks), and I was really happy with where she ended up.

 

I'd recommend "Two to Tango" for all contemporary romance and rom-com fans 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.   

 

 

About "Two to Tango"

A high-intensity personal trainer

The secret to Brooks’s success as a Manhattan gym owner? Being motivated to disprove everyone who ever doubted him. So he’s not about to let a perky newcomer like Izzy tarnish his reputation. Even if watching her lead a salsa class on his premises gets his own heartbeat raised…

His beautiful British rival

Every time influencer Izzy slams Brooks in her fitness blog, her book sales soar. But when their escalating media feud forces them to be up-close-and-personal for two weeks, she realizes there’s much more to Brooks than that lean and muscled body.

And a competition that’s got their hearts racing…

Soon Izzy and Brooks are finding all kinds of creative ways to work up a sweat. A passionate workout is easy, but can their rivalry give way to a lasting partnership? 

 

Review: "The Romance Situation" by Ellie Hall

The Romance Situation by Ellie Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Muralist Isla Pratt recently broke up with her boyfriend, a petty criminal who tried to get her involved in his schemes. She figured out what he was up to in time to avoid doing anything illegal, but now someone is after her and she needs to get out of town fast. Isla decides to head for the Florida Keys to visit her sister Robyn (aka Bean), who recently opened a bookstore and cafe. Bean also works part-time as a paralegal, and her boss, who is on the mainland recovering from a medical procedure, has asked her to cover a meeting with a client's grandsons. Unfortunately, the meeting conflicts with an important phone call that will help Bean expand her bookstore, so she asks Isla to pretend to be her and fill in at the meeting.

Meanwhile, wealthy businessman Royal McGregor is traveling to the same island, Coco Key, for what he thinks is his estranged grandfather's birthday party. Instead, he and his three brothers are about to learn that their grandfather has passed away and left a very specific list of tasks for them to complete in order to receive their inheritance. In Royal's case, he must fix up the Driftwood Resort under the supervision of the executor of the estate - which, due to a technicality, is now Isla. If the brothers fail to follow their grandfather's wishes, the entire estate will pass to his odious former business partner instead. Royal reluctantly agrees to go along with the will's conditions to keep his grandfather's property out of the hands of his enemy, though he'd rather tear the place down to avoid dealing with the painful childhood memories it evokes. He's not thrilled to be working with Isla, either; the chaos that surrounds her drives him crazy...but she may also be exactly what he needs to be happy.

This was such a fun story! I adored Isla and Royal's witty banter, as well as her hilarious internal monologue (especially her thoughts on the "scenery"). The family mystery and treasure hunt aspects of the plot were also very interesting; I'm looking forward to learning more in future books of the series.

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

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

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Review: "Matchmaking and Mixtapes" by Marie Landry

Matchmaking and Mixtapes by Marie Landry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Real estate agent Evelyn "Evie" Hathaway is about to turn 35, and her mother's well-intentioned (if somewhat annoying) matchmaking efforts are reaching a new level of desperation. She's throwing her daughter a birthday party and plans to use the occasion to introduce her to several of her father's younger colleagues. She's also invited Evie's childhood best friend Stella's older brother, Wesley McGrath, who's in town visiting from Ottawa. As a teenager, Evie secretly had a crush on Wesley, but nothing ever came of it; they've stayed in touch but rarely see each other because he lives so far away, plus he's always had a girlfriend...until now. Even though she doesn't want to get her hopes up, Evie can't help but notice that Wesley is acting differently towards her on this visit. Could he be preparing to admit to romantic feelings of his own?

I very much enjoyed this funny, sweet story about childhood friends finding their way back to each other and making a love connection as adults. Evie and Wesley's reminiscing about when they were kids was super cute, and I loved that they were still so comfortable with each other despite having spent so much time apart. I also appreciated that Wesley's sister Stella knew about their feelings for each other up front and wasn't upset about them dating. She was actually excited about the idea of her best friend becoming her sister, provided that her brother was sure of his feelings and had a plan to make the relationship work. Understandably, she didn't want to see either of them get hurt. Fortunately, everything worked out exactly the way it was supposed to, and I loved where Evie and Wesley ended up.

The one thing that might have improved my enjoyment of this story is if it had been narrated in dual POV. There were a few times when it seemed as if Wesley was sending mixed signals and I would have liked to better understand what he was thinking. I don't think he was doing it intentionally, but I can certainly understand why Evie misinterpreted some of his actions.

I'd recommend "Matchmaking and Mixtapes" for all sweet contemporary romance/romantic comedy 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: "An Unholy Affair" by Evie Alexander

Congratulations to Evie Alexander on the release of "An Unholy Affair," book #2 of the Foxbrooke series. Characters from the previous book make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

When his estranged father passes away, Jack Newton reluctantly returns to his hometown of Foxbrooke. His mother isn't coping well, plus she's just had cataract surgery and needs help until she's able to drive again. Shortly after his return, he answers the front door of his childhood home and unexpectedly comes face to face with Eveline Shaw, the woman who's haunted his dreams ever since he met her in a London bar a year ago. The attraction between them is as strong as ever, and while Jack can't help but be tempted to pursue her, he knows that she's off limits. After all, what hope could there be for a future between the town's beloved vicar and a man who secretly makes his living as an escort?
 

I can always count on Evie Alexander's books to deliver a laugh, and this one was no exception. But Jack and Eveline's story also managed to give me all the feels. They were incredibly likeable and well-developed protagonists, and despite the fact that their backgrounds were so different from my own, I couldn't help but relate with their struggles. Their fiery chemistry and witty banter had me captivated from the very first page, and I was rooting for them the whole way.
 

Overall, I adored "An Unholy Affair" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series!

 

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

 

 

About "An Unholy Affair"

Will he show her heaven, or take her straight to hell?

Vicar Eveline Shaw has always dreamed of finding ‘the one’, but her job keeps getting in the way. She may be kind and beautiful, but men run a mile when they discover who her boss is. Only one person has ever made her soul sing — a perfect stranger who walked away without a second glance.

Escort Jack Newton’s got a talent few men have, and it’s made him rich. But his job’s a dirty secret, and as his bank account gets bigger, his heart gets smaller. He left his one chance at happiness at a bar and didn’t look back.

When Jack’s dragged back to Somerset after his abusive father dies, he falls into a nightmare. His dream woman may be living in Foxbrooke, but she wants a happy-ever-after and he’s an escort with no plans to stick around.

Can Jack show Eveline heaven and keep his secret safe, or are they both headed straight for hell?

An Unholy Affair is a laugh-out-loud, forbidden love, super-steamy, small town romantic comedy with a heavenly happy ending! It’s written as a standalone but we think you’ll enjoy it even more after reading Love ad Lib first! 

 

Review: "Promise to Marry You" by Julia Jarrett

Congratulations to author Julia Jarrett on today's release of "Promise to Marry You," book #4 of the Donnellys of Dogwood Cove series. Characters from the previous books make appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

 

Beckett Donnelly and Camilla "Cam" Byrne have been best friends since they were first-year university students, so when the grandfather who raised her suddenly passes away, he's there to support her. After the funeral, her grandfather's attorney pays Cam a visit and informs her that he's left her a substantial inheritance, but there's a catch: she must be married in order to access it. Willing to do whatever it takes to help his friend, Beckett proposes a marriage of convenience for the sake of her inheritance. The problem is that he's secretly had romantic feelings for her for years, while she's sworn off relationships after the tragic loss of her parents as a child. Is Beckett setting himself up for heartbreak, or could this be exactly the push Cam needs to see him in a different light?

Truth be told, it's tough for me to think of accountants as hot, not because I have anything against the profession, but because it's what so many of my family members do or did for a living (my parents included). That said, Julia Jarrett has managed to create a major hottie in accountant Beckett Donnelly. I don't know how Cam managed to keep her hands off him for as long as she did! I adored their sweet friendship and witty, teasing banter, as well as the steamy chemistry that became more and more apparent as the book progressed. Their HEA was years in the making but tremendously satisfying nonetheless, and I was rooting for them from the very first page.

I highly recommend "Promise to Marry You" for all steamy 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.

 

About "Promise to Marry You"

From bestselling author Julia Jarrett comes a steamy, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience small town romance about the Donnelly brother no one expects to have a dirty side and his best friend who needs a husband…

My best friend needs my help? Consider it done, no questions asked. Well, maybe one question…
Will you marry me?
Except Camilla Byrne is more than just my friend. She’s the woman I’ve loved ever since we met, the one who knows me better than I know myself, and the one I would put everything on the line for.
Including my heart, it would seem. Because Cam’s chance at an inheritance that will guarantee she gets everything she’s ever dreamed of, requires the one thing she’s never wanted.
A husband.
Next thing I know, we’re saying I do.
Now she’s living in my house.
And sleeping in my bed - for comfort, nothing more.
Because there are some lines I will not cross. Not unless my wife crosses them first…

Promise To Marry You You is perfect for fans of steamy small town romance centered around a big family who love to get in each other’s business. It has plenty of swoon, plenty of spice, light-hearted banter, quirky small town vibes, low angst, and a guaranteed HEA. It is a standalone and the fourth full-length novel in the Donnellys of Dogwood Cove series.

Review: "Something to Believe In" by Samantha Baca

Something to Believe In by Samantha Baca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Calli recently moved from Miami to Montana to care for her widowed mother, who's been diagnosed with early-onset dementia. She's also opened her own restaurant, Cravings, in the new strip mall where roofer Dylan has been working for the past several months. Dylan's had a crush on Calli ever since she catered the grand opening of his friend Ramona's doggy daycare, but every time he sees her, he somehow manages to embarrass himself. Even so, when he finally works up the courage to ask her out, she says yes. At first, things go well between Dylan and Calli, but when the relationship starts to turn serious, she suddenly pulls away. He'll have to help her overcome her fears before they can find a path forward together.

I very much enjoyed this funny, sweet, and perfectly steamy story. It was cute how awkward Dylan was around Calli at first; he said so many unintentionally funny things! As for Calli, I couldn't help but empathize with everything she was going through with her mom, as well as her fears about getting involved with Dylan given everything she already had on her plate. She wasn't giving him (or herself) enough credit, however; he was more than capable of standing by her side and helping her carry her burdens, no matter what they were, and I loved the way he proved it to her in the end.

I highly recommend "Something to Believe In" for all steamy contemporary romance and rom-com fans and look forward to the author's next release.

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

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Review: "Homerun Proposal" by Maren Moore

Homerun Proposal: A Brother's Best Friend Baseball Romance by Maren Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

College freshman Hallie Jo Edwards lives in an off-campus house with her best friend, Eli, and his older brother, star baseball player Lane Collins. She secretly has a crush on Lane, but not only is he a total playboy, she's sure he thinks of her as nothing more than a little sister. The truth is that Lane has wanted Hallie for years but won't risk driving a wedge between himself and his brother by pursuing her. Hallie's been a wallflower her entire life and is tired of feeling like she's missing out. She wants the full college experience, but there's one thing she needs to do first: finally lose her V-card. Tired of waiting for it to happen naturally, Hallie decides to proposition Eli, but she's not brave enough to face him while she does it. She writes out the details of her proposal and presents it to him while he's in the shower. The only problem is that it isn't actually Eli in the shower; it's Lane, and he's more than willing to teach her everything she wants to know.

Maren Moore hit it out of the park with her first baseball romance! There was plenty of chemistry between Hallie and Lane and the spicy scenes were red hot, but the author did a great job of developing their emotional connection right along with the physical. There was always more between them than just Hallie's proposal, even though it took them a while to recognize and acknowledge it. I really liked that Eli knew about their relationship so early in the story so that it didn't become drama later, as so often happens in best friend's brother stories, and I also enjoyed the subplot related to Lane's concerns about going pro. Despite the million-dollar salaries, I don't think it's easy being a professional athlete, so his concerns seemed very realistic to me.

I'd recommend "Homerun Proposal" for all fans of steamy new adult contemporary/sports romance and look forward to whatever the author comes up with next.

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

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Release Blitz + Review: "Body Check" by Teagan Hunter

I'm pleased to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Body Check" by Teagan Hunter, book #1 of the Seattle Serpents series.

 

Professional hockey player Reed "Hutch" Hutchinson is on his way back home to Seattle when he meets a beautiful - but entirely too talkative - woman named Auden in the airport lounge. They're also seated next to each other on the plane, and when storms force them to make an emergency landing in Chicago, another chance encounter in a hotel bar leads to a one-night stand. A month later, Hutch is in a different hotel bar following a game in Denver when he sees a familiar woman across the room: Auden. 

 

Hotel entrepreneur Auden Sinclair is in Denver to get to know her latest business partners, the NHL's Seattle Serpents. They've signed a contract for the team to stay at her namesake chain of hotels when they travel, which means that no matter how intense the attraction between Hutch and Auden remains, continuing their involvement is against the rules. Besides, they've both sworn off relationships to focus on their careers. But with fate seemingly bringing them together time and time again, will they be able to resist temptation?

There was no shortage of chemistry between Auden and Hutch, whose matching devotion to career over relationships and apparent fear of commitment made them a good fit. I also enjoyed the book's secondary characters, particularly Hutch's teammates, who will almost certainly return as protagonists in future books of the series. Hutch himself, however, felt a bit underdeveloped to me. For example, at one point he mentioned that he'd been left at the altar years ago, but the circumstances were not explained and it was never brought up again. I wanted to know more about that and how it played into his decisions when it came to Auden.

Overall, I enjoyed and would recommend "Body Check" for all contemporary/sports romance fans. I plan to continue with the series.

 

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

 

 

About "Body Check"

I have two goals this season:
Be named captain of the Seattle Serpents.
Stay single.

I’m right on track…until she happens.

Auden Sinclair.

We’re stuck together for a night when our plane is forced to make an emergency landing, and that’s all the promise we make—one night, then we go our separate ways.

Except she pops up again.
Then again.

Suddenly, she’s everywhere. In my head and in my bed, completely taking over my life and ruining all my plans with her quippy comebacks, her smarts, and a body that fits against mine just perfectly.

The problem? Auden is off limits. Forbidden. Strictly in the DO NOT TOUCH zone. She goes against all the rules, but never have I wanted to bend them as badly as I do when it comes to her.

This might be one battle I’m not going to win…

 

Release Blitz + Review: "One More Secret" by Stina Lindenblatt

I'm happy to take part in the release blitz celebrating "One More Secret" by Stina Lindenblatt, book #1 of the Hidden Secrets trilogy (as well as book #2 of the Carson Brothers series). 

Like the first book of the Carson Brothers series, "One More Secret" was, at times, a gut-wrenching, emotional roller coaster, but I could not have loved it more. The twists and turns kept me guessing right up to the shocking cliffhanger ending, and I can't wait to find out where the story goes from here.

I highly recommend this compelling read for all fans of angsty/emotional contemporary romance, though I would advise checking the content warnings in advance. The next book of the trilogy can't get here soon enough for me!

 

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

CW: Domestic Abuse; Mental Illness; PTSD; Suicide

 

About "One More Secret"

Two shattered souls, one chance at love's redemption...

After being wrongfully imprisoned for the death of her abusive husband, all Jessica Smithson wants is to start a new life where no one knows her true identity. Maple Ridge is the perfect place to hide from the media circus battling to know who really rid her of the man. A question she can’t answer.

The last thing she expects to find in the small idyllic mountain town is the good-looking and very persistent Troy Carson. From the moment he sees her, the ex-Marine is determined to help Jess with her anxiety attacks and to get to know her better. He’s determined to help her renovate the old house she bought—a house with secrets hidden behind the walls.

Heat simmers and grows between the pair, but Jess can’t risk getting too close to Troy. Can’t risk her own secrets being revealed.

So much is at stake if the truth gets out.

For fans of Rebecca Yarros's THE THINGS WE LEAVE UNFINISHED comes a toe-curling, dual-timeline romance that bridges the gap between past and present, love and loss, and heartbreak and healing.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Flirtation or Faceoff" by Leah Brunner

I'm excited to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Flirtation or Faceoff" by Leah Brunner, book #2 of the DC Eagles Hockey series. Characters from the previous book and prequel novella appear as supporting characters in this story, but it reads as a standalone.

Colby Knight, professional hockey player for the DC Eagles, has been smitten with history professor Noel Woodcock ever since they met at their mutual friends' engagement celebration, but she won't give him the time of day. A year after their first meeting, Noel is asked to represent her university at a charity gala and invites her grandmother to be her plus one. They're seated at the same table as Colby, who's there to participate in the gala's charity auction on behalf of the team. Noel's grandmother senses the romantic tension between Noel and Colby and, in an effort to further her quest for great-grandchildren, bids on and wins the team's offering of "An Evening With an Eagle." Even though she's annoyed by her grandmother's attempts to set them up on a date, Noel gives in to put a stop to her badgering. Colby, meanwhile, couldn't be more excited to have the chance to show Noel a new side of his personality. While on the date, the subject of Noel's crush on a co-worker comes up, and Colby impulsively offers to be her dating coach. He hates the idea of her with another man but hopes that spending this time with her will help her see him in a different light. It's a good plan, but Noel won't give in without a fight.

 

I very much enjoyed this charming story. Colby and Noel had great chemistry and their banter was quite amusing. Colby came across as a bit of a flirt at first, but he turned out to be a real sweetheart. It's a shame it took Noel so long to see how truly smitten he was! That said, her trust issues seemed very relatable and realistic to me, and I appreciated that she acknowledged and tried to work through them. Colby also showed a great deal of character growth in realizing that he didn't want to follow in his father's footsteps, but rather settle down with a partner and family of his own. I particularly loved Colby's efforts to learn about Noel's interests in fantasy novels and cosplay, as well as his sweet relationship with his little sister, Ruthie. He's the kind of book boyfriend dreams are made of, and I will be dreaming about finding someone like him for a long time to come!

 

I highly recommend "Flirtation or Faceoff" for all sweet/closed-door contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to the next book in the series.

 

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

 

About "Flirtation or Faceoff"

After getting my heart broken, I’ve sworn off athletes forever.

Then my best friend has to go and marry an NHL player, and his teammate, Colby Knight, won’t leave me alone.

Colby is a master at scoring (on and off the ice), and he’s not used to being told no. So he takes my disinterest as an invitation to pursue me even harder. I ignore him… until I realize I can use his expertise to help me get my crush’s attention.

But now that he’s my dating coach, and we’re spending so much time together, I’m growing more and more distracted. I mean, those dimples? Very enticing.

Just when I think he might be more than just a playboy hockey player, a blast from the past comes back and reminds me why I swore off athletes in the first place.

Can I trust Colby, or is he just another jerk who will break my heart?

(This is a dual POV, fade-to-black romance, and can be read as a standalone. This book contains mild language. Trigger warnings: cheating exes.)