Release Blitz + Review: "P.S. You're Intolerable" by Julia Wolf

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz celebrating "P.S. You're Intolerable" by Julia Wolf, book #3 of The Harder They Fall series. Characters from the previous books make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

Catherine "Kit" Warner's entire life changes in the blink of an eye when she learns that she's pregnant following a one-time hookup with a travel buddy. Unable to return to her former job building houses for a charity organization abroad, she instead lands a position as executive assistant to billionaire Elliot Levy, CEO of Levy Development. Seemingly oblivious to anything not directly related to his work, Kit's pregnancy somehow escapes Elliot's notice for months. He does notice what a great assistant she is, however, so when he learns that Kit and her newborn daughter Joey are in need of a place to stay, he offers up his own house. After all, the sooner Kit's personal life is settled, the sooner she can get back to work. Spending so much time with Elliot outside of the office - and seeing the sweet way he interacts with Joey - helps Kit see a different side of her boss, and it's not long before she realizes that her feelings for him are more than just professional. Is there any hope for them to be together, or will office politics get in the way?

This was the first book I've read by Julia Wolf, but it definitely won't be the last. Elliot was such a delightful surprise as a protagonist! Every time I thought he was about to show his true colors and act like a jerk or tyrant (in other words, like a typical billionaire), he surprised me by doing something incredibly kind and thoughtful instead. I particularly enjoyed his attempts to justify the nice things he did for Kit by claiming that he had selfish motives, such as creating a pumping room on the executive floor because it would allow her to get back to work sooner. He may have been ruthless in his business dealings, but Elliot was a big ol' softy when it came to Kit and Joey, and I loved it.

The one thing that could have improved this story for me was a bit more resolution with Kit's parents in the end. There was a brief mention in the epilogue, but not enough to satisfy the questions I still had. For example, if her parents really didn't care about her, why did they supposedly look for her for so many years?

I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and steamy story for all contemporary romance fans and look forward to checking out more of the author's work in the future.

 

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

 

About "P.S. You're Intolerable"

My boss, Elliot Levy is intolerable, and I tell him so everyday…in the little notes I write and then hide in the back of my desk.

I can’t exactly say to his face that I’m convinced he’s a cyborg, considering I'm about to become a single mother and I really need to keep my job as his assistant.

Elliot never looks at me, so he doesn’t even notice I’m pregnant until I’m seven months along. The first thing he asks is if I’m planning to come back to work once I have the baby.

Not unexpected.

What is unexpected is Elliot coming to my rescue when I need a place to stay after my daughter is born. While living with him, I get to see a whole other side of him…especially when he walks around his house without a shirt on.

Which he does, ALL. THE. TIME.

I shouldn’t look, but I can’t help it. He’s gorgeous in a suit, but out of one? Devastating.

Elliot shows me he isn’t the heartless robot I once thought. It’s still terrifying to take a chance on him, even when he holds my baby like she’s precious to him, and he touches me like he’s been longing to for ages.

Now that he has me, he isn’t letting me go without a fight.

And Elliot Levy didn’t get where he is in business without learning a few underhanded tricks. What will he do to keep me? To keep us?

P.S. I think I’m falling for you.

 

Review: "Dare to Marry You" by Julia Jarrett

Dare to Marry You by Julia Jarrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Dare to Marry You" by Julia Jarrett, book #5 of the Donnellys of Dogwood Cove series, is a follow up to the first book of the series, featuring Kat and Hunter's Christmas Eve wedding at the Martin farm.

Kat couldn't be more excited as their big day approaches, while Hunter's anxiety continues to increase at the thought of being the center of attention. Further complicating matters is an unexpected training opportunity that sends Hunter out of town for most of the two weeks leading up to the wedding. Kat's left on her own with the last-minute details - and the surprising discovery that she's pregnant. When a massive snowstorm rolls in and strands Hunter on the mainland a few days before the wedding, will it force them to cancel all of their carefully laid plans?

Kat and Hunter are one of my favorite Julia Jarrett couples and I loved revisiting their story in this novella. Having struggled with anxiety myself, I've always found Hunter to be a particularly relatable protagonist. I appreciated that Kat was so patient and understanding with Hunter, and when she recognized that the wedding was a trigger for him, she adjusted the plans so that he could enjoy the day too. I also loved the way Hunter looked out for Kat, such as when he made sure that her brothers were available to help her shovel snow when he couldn't make it home during the storm. They were always taking care of each other in both big and small ways, and it made their relationship feel like a partnership in the truest sense of the word.

Overall, I adored "Dare to Marry You" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance readers. 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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Review: "Over the Line" by Elise Faber

Over the Line by Elise Faber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In need of an escape after losing both her job and her boyfriend in the same day, photographer Nova Cassidy gratefully accepts her best friend's offer to spend a week at her brother's house in Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, there's more bad luck waiting for Nova on the road; her car slides into a snowbank and she's unable to dig it out, leaving her stranded. She's reluctantly rescued by professional hockey player Lake Jordan as he's driving past on his way home from practice. When she informs him of her destination, they're both surprised to learn that Nova's friend gave her Lake's address instead of her brother's.

After a grueling stretch of away games, all Lake wants is to be left alone to rest and recover, but with the snow continuing to fall, he has no choice but to let Nova stay with him. Making her feel welcome isn't part of the deal, however. A rocky start to her stay gradually gives way to the growing attraction between them, but their respective pasts make the prospect of a relationship difficult. When the storm ends, will Nova and Lake be able to overcome their past hurts and build a new future together?

Lake came across as quite a jerk in the early chapters, but as I got further into the story, I came to understand that his behavior was actually an effort to push Nova away and protect himself from getting hurt. Similarly, Nova had to fight her instinct to run when things got too serious. They both had demons to battle, and I appreciated that they each made a conscious choice and put in the effort to be together in the end. I also enjoyed the story's lighter moments, particularly the ones involving Nova's "demon dog," Steve the pug.

I really like the direction Faber seems to be taking with this new hockey series. For a number of reasons, this story didn't feel like a "typical" hockey romance to me, which was refreshing. The Sierra are a dysfunctional team, many of the players don't get along, and some of them have a questionable work ethic. As captain, Lake had to try and figure out how to change the team's culture to give them a chance at winning the Cup. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out through the next few books of the series.

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

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

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

I'm delighted to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Something Like Lust" by Piper Rayne, book #2 of the Chicago Grizzlies series. While it does work as a standalone, the main characters' first meeting actually takes place in a free prequel to the series. I'd recommend reading that first for context.

Piper Rayne's sports romances have all been pretty great, but I think this one is my new favorite of theirs. The authors did a fantastic job of redeeming bad boy football star Damon Siska. Learning that he was about to become a father brought out a completely different side of Damon's personality, and I loved the way he stepped up and became a true partner to middle school teacher Adeline Morgan. Their banter and chemistry was phenomenal, but what I most appreciated was their awareness of the challenges they faced and efforts to talk through how to handle them. The one topic that seemed to be off limits was Damon's fear of relationships, but when I learned the reason behind it, my heart broke for him. Adeline and the baby were exactly what Damon needed to move on from his past into a brighter future.

 

I highly recommend "Something Like Lust" for all contemporary/sports romance and romantic comedy fans and look forward to the next book in the series.

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

 

About "Something Like Lust"

Do it.
Don’t do it.

Never in my life did I think I’d wager in my head whether to sleep with Chicago Grizzlies wide receiver, Damon Siska.

He’s the perfect package—hot body, killer smile, and flirts like he earned a doctorate in it. But anyone who reads gossip blogs knows he is looking for one amazing night and nothing more.

I’m not the usual type of woman he beds. I’m a middle school teacher who cherishes her quiet nights in, drinking wine, and watching romantic comedies, dreaming I’m the heroine. I’m not embarrassed to admit—I want the fairy tale.

But Damon caught me at a weak moment. Fresh off a break-up and feeling lousy about myself, I gave into temptation and left the next morning like every other woman he’d slept with.

Except I walked away with more than just the memories when three weeks later the little white stick glowed with two pink lines.

 

Review: "On the Defense" by Piper Rayne

On the Defense by Piper Rayne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"On the Defense" by Piper Rayne is a prequel novella to the Chicago Grizzlies series. Professional football player Miles Cavanaugh, recently traded to Chicago from the San Francisco Kingsmen, moves into an apartment in the same building as two of his new teammates. A new season is about to begin and it's a fresh start for all of them, not just in football, but maybe in love, too.

I'd recommend this novella for all readers who plan to pick up the other books in the series. It helps bridge the gap between the Kingsmen Football Stars series, which concluded with Miles's sister Twyla's story, and the beginning of the Chicago Grizzlies series. It also provides helpful context for later events in the Grizzlies series, especially those of book 2, "Something Like Lust."

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Review: "All Snowed Gin" by Claire Hastings

All Snowed Gin by Claire Hastings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"All Snowed In" by Claire Hastings is part of the multi-author Mistletoe Creek series and also ties into the Hickory Hills series, but works well as a standalone.

Heading home from a month-long business trip to celebrate Christmas with her family, Rose Adler takes a brief detour through the mountains and ends up stuck in the snow with no cell service. She walks to a nearby house to ask for help only for the owner, Pierce Adams, to slam the door in her face. Undaunted, Rose knocks again, and Pierce's conscience won't let him turn her away a second time. She manages to call the local towing company from his landline, but the news isn't good; a bridge has collapsed under the weight of the snow, and it will be days until anyone can get to her. The last thing either Rose or Pierce wants is to be stuck with a stranger for Christmas, but can they find a way to make the best of the situation?

I very much enjoyed this sweet yet steamy story, which featured likeable, relatable protagonists and a fun holiday vibe. Pierce certainly came across as a grump at first, but when I learned the reasons behind his behavior, my heart broke for him. He seemed like a completely different person after he started to let down his guard and allow himself to have fun with Rose. Their personalities complemented each other perfectly and I loved how cute they were together by the end. I hope we'll see more of them in future books of the Hickory Hills series.

I highly recommend "All Snowed Gin" for all steamy contemporary romance fans and look forward to whatever the author writes next.

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

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Review: "Where It Begins" by Helena Hunting

Where It Begins by Helena Hunting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Where It Begins" by Helena Hunting is a standalone prequel to the Pucked series featuring Violet's mother, accountant Skye Hall, and Miller's father, pro hockey scout Sidney Butterson. It's releasing as part of the 1,001 Dark Nights collection, which is a great way to sample standalone novellas by new-to-you authors (or enjoy a special bonus story from an existing favorite).

I adored this laugh-out-loud funny, sweet, and perfectly steamy story, which made me want to go back and read the entire Pucked series all over again. Skye and Sidney were endearing protagonists whose struggle to fit their relationship around their teenagers' schedules was incredibly relatable. I particularly enjoyed getting to know the younger versions of Violet and Miller. Quite a few of Violet's best (and funniest) personality traits were obviously inherited directly from her mother, and their close relationship was a lot of fun.

I highly recommend this novella 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.

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Review: "Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs" by Dana LeCheminant

Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs by Dana LeCheminant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

High school chemistry teacher Brooklyn Briggs is home sick one day when she's startled into a nasty fall by a man working outside her window. It turns out to be her twin brother Houston's best friend, Jordan Torres, who recently moved back to their hometown of Sun City and started his own landscaping business. Back in high school, Jordan drove Brooklyn crazy with his teasing and pranks, so she's not exactly thrilled to see him again. Unfortunately, her injuries from the fall are no prank, and she's going to need help getting around until she recovers. Houston's out of town, so Jordan reluctantly agrees to take care of Brooklyn.

Considering their history, Houston's warning that his sister is off-limits should be unnecessary, but there's something about Brooklyn that has always attracted Jordan. The problem is that she has a crush on her co-worker Mark. When Jordan accidentally finds out about her crush, he impulsively offers to give her flirting lessons to help win Mark over. It's not long before their pretend flirting starts to feel like the real thing, but both Brooklyn and Jordan are afraid of risking their relationship with Houston. Can they find a way to move forward together?

I adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story. Brooklyn and Jordan both had a lot of baggage from their past relationships, but I appreciated that they were able to see beyond each other's flaws and imperfections to what was really important. Their personalities were a perfect balance and I loved how they supported and built each other up when needed. They truly made a wonderful couple and I was rooting for them the whole way.

I highly recommend "Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs" for all sweet/closed-door contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, which will feature Brooklyn's brother Houston.

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

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Review: "Levi Bailey Has Butterflies" by Jen Atkinson

Levi Bailey Has Butterflies by Jen Atkinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's official: Jen Atkinson has written not one, not two, but THREE of my favorite books of 2023. I can't recommend "Levi Bailey Has Butterflies" highly enough for anyone who enjoys grumpy-sunshine/opposites attract stories (or sweet/closed-door contemporary romance and romantic comedy of any kind).

My favorite part about this story was the way Meredith helped Levi see things differently and start to make positive changes in his life. He'd lived in fear of something bad happening to his mom or siblings for so long that he didn't know how to let go. Meredith's experiences had taught her the necessity of pushing through fear to find the joy in life, and spending time with her helped Levi change his way of thinking too. He was still a loving and protective son and brother, but he found a way to balance those instincts with living life for himself.

The book's secondary characters were also a ton of fun and added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. I particularly loved Meredith's Uncle Bob and the way he encouraged her to go out and live her life, even though he was apparently a hermit himself. It seemed as if he truly lived through the books he wrote. I enjoyed catching up with Levi's sister Coco and her daughter Alice, too. Alice was just as cute and funny as ever, and I hope to see more of her in future stories.

I can't wait to find out what's in store for us with the rest of the Bailey brothers!

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

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Review: "The Matchmaking Heirs" by Whitley Cox and Ember Leigh

The Matchmaking Heirs: First Christmas in Winter Harbor by Whitley Cox and Ember Leigh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Matchmaking Heirs" by Whitley Cox and Ember Leigh is a charming holiday novella featuring the Winters brothers (Callum, Carson, and Colton) and the women they love as they celebrate Christmas in Winter Harbor. For maximum enjoyment, I'd recommend reading the couples' individual stories prior to this one.

Now that the renovations to their ancestral estate are finally complete, the Winters clan is looking forward to spending their first Christmas together as a family. They've just brought home the perfect Christmas tree when Amaya's Aunt Maribel stops by to ask them to help her play matchmaker for a couple of the town's senior citizens, Bernard Gentry and Drusilla Crombie. They decide to throw a small Christmas Eve party to bring the two together, but the guest list quickly spirals out of control as word of the party spreads.

Meanwhile, Lily, Colton, and Harlow are busy dealing with the fallout of a defamatory newspaper article about the Summers and Winters families that threatens Lily's new position as mayor of Winter Harbor. After everything they've done to repair their families' reputations and prove their commitment to the local community, they're not about to let these unfair accusations stand. Can they figure out who's really behind the article and put a stop to the attacks once and for all?

I completely adored this funny, sweet, and perfectly steamy story. Reading it felt like coming home and spending time with old friends. It was wonderful to see each of the couples so happy together after everything they'd been through, and I also loved the teasing interactions between the brothers. Their relationship has improved so much since the series began!

I highly recommend "The Matchmaking Heirs" for all steamy contemporary romance fans. Hopefully the authors will collaborate again in the future - maybe on stories for Lily's sisters? ;-)

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

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