Review: "Mom Squad" by Kaci Lane

Congratulations to Kaci Lane on the release of "Mom Squad," book #1 of the Single Southern Mamas series. The ebook is being released as part of the My Funny Valentine box set, but the paperback is available on its own. (The ebook will also be released separately later this year.)

I completely adored this funny, sweet, and heartwarming story! Even though so much about Aniston's situation was unusual, she seemed incredibly relatable to me. I loved that she was so unapologetically herself and that Easton not only accepted her quirks, he was charmed by them. Her snarky, funny attitude made for great banter with Easton as well as with her arch nemesis, PTSO president Georgia. In addition, I really enjoyed Aniston's friendship with Morgan and Brooke, the other two single moms. I'd love for each of them to get stories of their own in the future!

I finished this book with a huge smile on my face and already can't wait for my next visit to the charmingly quirky small town of Apple Cart. I highly recommend "Mom Squad" for all sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. This may only be the second book I've read by Kaci Lane, but she's already earned a place on my auto-buy list!

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

About "Mom Squad"

In a matter of minutes, I gained two kids, a house, a dog . . . and a hot doctor-farmer guy for a neighbor.

I never anticipated being a single mom, but I did expect to get pregnant first. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined taking custody of my niece and nephew, let alone moving back to my hometown.

Even more surprising is the guy living on the other side of my pond who could pass as a model for an outdoors catalog. Oh, and he’s a doctor.

Too bad he met me at my worst—barely dressed and several days past a shower, still holding the half-eaten cookie cake that sent me spiraling into a sugar coma. Of course, losing one’s sister and trading in a life of traveling the country for Apple Cart County could do that to a person. It did do it for me.

With my life in so much upheaval, the last thing I need is to fall for the guy next door. But he’s making it hard to resist with handsome smiles and helping around the property. And as an instant mama to a middle schooler and second grader stuck in the town I escaped almost a decade ago, I need all the help I can get.

This sweet-heat-level small town, romantic comedy is the first in a new series set in the fictitious Apple Cart County, Alabama. Bad Moms meets Sweet Magnolias as friends navigate raising kids among busy lives and nosy neighbors.

 

Review: "Christmas Chaos" by Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander

Congratulations to Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander on the release of "Christmas Chaos," book #3 of Evie and Kelly's Holiday Disasters series. Six strangers become unlikely friends after getting stuck in an airport lounge together. This book follows two of those characters through interconnected novellas as they live out their HEAs while navigating a few unexpected disasters. Both stories made me snort laugh, but I also shed a few tears along the way.

 

In the first story, Alexander's "No Way in a Manger," change is coming to Kinloch: Zoe is expecting a baby, and Rory's not ready. He's terrified that he will follow in his father's footsteps and be a terrible parent. As if preparing for a baby weren't enough, Zoe has thrown herself into plans for an elaborate Christmas celebration at the castle, and it's almost more than the two of them can handle - especially after Rory's mom and her new husband, wacky actor Brad, decide to lend their "help." Will Rory make it through the holidays with his wits intact?
 

It still amazes me how big, tough, grumpy Rory just melts for Zoe. His love for her is so pure, and all he wants to do is protect her, even though she's strong enough to stand on her own and doesn't need his protection. They really are #couplegoals! They went through a lot in this story, but after a lot of laughs (and a few tears), they ended up in exactly the perfect place.

 

In the second story, Kay's "No Crib and No Bed," Tabi and Bax desperately need a break after multiple miscarriages and failed rounds of fertility treatments, as well as losing their beloved foster kids. As much as they love being Aunt Tabi and Uncle Bax, spending time around so many pregnant women and young children feels too difficult for them right now, so they've decided to take a 3-week vacation in Brazil rather than spend Christmas with their extended families. The plan gets derailed when their ramshackle old farmhouse collapses - with them inside - on the same night they learn that they've been chosen as adoptive parents for a baby due to be born at any moment. They're thrilled, terrified, and totally unprepared, but it seems as if Tabi and Bax are about to realize their dream of being parents after all.

I definitely shed some (happy) tears while reading this story. Sometimes good things really do happen to good people - even if those people happen to be fictional. Bax and Tabi's zany relatives added the perfect touch of humor to the story while still managing to come through for them when they needed help the most. Like Rory and Zoe, Bax and Tabi went through a lot in this story, but I loved where they ended up.

I can't recommend "Christmas Chaos" highly enough for all romantic comedy fans. I look forward to whatever Kay and Alexander write next. (Sidenote: I couldn't help but notice a reference to this series as "Volume 1" of the Holiday Disasters series. I hope that means there will be a Volume 2 in the future because this collaboration has been such a delight!)

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

CW: Pregnancy; Miscarriage; Infertility

 

About "Christmas Chaos"

One Christmas, two couples, utter chaos. These laugh-out-loud novellas are hotter than chestnuts roasting on an open fire!

No Way in a Manger - by Evie Alexander
Rory’s seen battle, conquered the wiles of the Scottish Highlands, and won Zoe’s heart. But now he faces his biggest challenge of all, Christmas at the castle and a heavily pregnant wife who wants everything to be perfect. The holidays should be relaxing, and having a baby’s easy, right? But with wayward in-laws, an out-of-control cow and mad Santa getting in the way, nothing is going to plan…

No Crib and No Bed - by Kelly Kay
Tabi Aganos has put her belief in miracles behind her and redirected her life to focus on her husband, Bax, the winery they’ve built, and fixing up her beloved old farmhouse. They have everything in place for the perfect holiday, until one hot night sends their plans crashing through the floor. But when family and friends pitch in to help, and Santa brings some unexpectedly magical gifts, their Christmas turns from chaos into joy.

Evie and Kelly’s Holiday Disasters are a series of hot and hilarious romantic comedies with interconnected characters, focusing on one holiday and one trope at a time. No cheating, no cliff-hangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after (HEA).

 

Review: "Falling for a Friend" by Melonie Johnson (part of Dissent: A Charity Romance Anthology)

Dissent: A Charity Romance Anthology by Brighton Walsh, et al.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review for "Falling for a Friend" by Melonie Johnson

Children's librarian Mark Martin has been asking single mom Luna Ibarra out for a long time, but she's always turned him down. Between running her farm and raising her 9-year-old son Toby, she has more than enough on her plate. Will a dare from her sister-in-law Sadie finally get her to take a chance and say yes to the handsome librarian?

This super cute, short, and sweet story was an absolute delight, filled with Johnson's signature blend of humor and heart. Readers familiar with the Sometimes in Love series may remember Luna as Bo's sister from the third book of the series, but it works well as a standalone for those who are new to Johnson's work. I'd highly recommend this story for all contemporary romance fans and wouldn't mind seeing more of Luna and Mark in the future.

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

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Review: "The Last Chance Road Trip" by Sara Jane Woodley (Fall Back Into Love anthology)

Fall Back Into Love: A Romantic Comedy Collection by Ginny Sterling, et al.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review for "The Last Chance Road Trip" by Sara Jane Woodley

This novella is a prequel to the Love in Mirror Valley series, but works well as a standalone.

On the way to her first day as a receptionist at the Brookrose Inn, Valentina "Val" Reyes-Murphy decides to take a detour to her old childhood treehouse. Unfortunately, she manages to tear her brand-new trousers as she's climbing up, which of course is when her childhood friend and former boyfriend, Ethan Holmes, walks up. He's just in time to catch Val when she falls out of the treehouse after being spooked by what she thinks is a giant spider. Ethan and Val haven't seen or spoken with each other since their breakup four years ago, after which Ethan left town for culinary school in Montana. He's back in Mirror Valley to honor his late grandfather's final request: a road trip treasure hunt with Val. Now he just has to persuade her to go with him...

Even though this was a relatively short story, it didn't feel much like a novella to me at all because the characters were so endearing and three-dimensional. I think a lot of that can be attributed to the story's structure, which relied on a series of flashbacks to slowly reveal the exact circumstances behind Val and Ethan's breakup back in high school. The flashbacks were very helpful in understanding why Val was so hesitant to trust Ethan again as well as how they might be able to work towards their second chance in the present.

Overall, I loved this funny, sweet, and heartfelt story and highly recommend it for fans of sweet contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to reading whatever Sara Jane Woodley writes next!

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

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Review: "Cookout Carnage" by Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander

Congratulations to Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander on the release of "Cookout Carnage," book #2 of Evie and Kelly's Holiday Disasters series. Six strangers become unlikely friends after getting stuck in an airport lounge together. This book follows two of those characters through interconnected novellas as they find love in the midst of disaster. Get ready to snort laugh because both of these stories are absolutely hysterical!

 

In the first story, "Up in Smoke" by Kelly Kay, Kentucky farmer Jonathan Tucker's wedding to wannabe influencer Tanya is just a few days away, but he's suddenly realized that he can't go through with it because he's still hung up on his best friend and former high school sweetheart, Juliet Dexter-Haven. Now that Juliet's back in town, Jonathan's efforts to call off the wedding take on a new urgency, but Tanya's not giving up on her dream wedding without a fight. 

Without a doubt, Jonathan and Juliet were absolutely perfect for each other, and their hilariously funny, sweet, and steamy story gave me all the feels. It was surprisingly emotional to learn why their relationship didn't work out the first time around, and I couldn't help but empathize with Juliet's fear of losing Jonathan the way she'd lost her father. Primarily, however, this story tickled my funny bone, and my favorite part was Jonathan's pet pig, Squeakers, who stole the show on more than one occasion. An honorable mention goes to the tricked-out tractor Juliet and Jonathan "borrowed" from his neighbor, which came complete with a stereo and cup holders. It really doesn't get much more redneck fabulous than that!

In the second story, "Off with a Bang" by Evie Alexander, main characters Tristan Fawcett-Underwood and Sherilyn Boden work for the same company and team but in different cities; he's based in London, while she's in the Chicago office. They've never met in person, but have still managed to become good friends and develop a secret mutual crush. When an opportunity arises for Tristan to transfer to Chicago, he decides to visit and see if the possibility exists for them to take their relationship offline. Unfortunately, circumstances conspire to keep them apart during his brief visit, but a few months later, with the encouragement of his friends from the airport lounge, Tristan decides to take a leap and accept the transfer anyway. Not only that, he's going to accept Sherilyn's nearly-forgotten invitation to spend July 4th with her family in Kentucky. Will he find true love or will Sherilyn's crazy Southern family be too much for him to handle?

This was another super cute, sweet, and hilariously funny story with the perfect amount of steam. Sherilyn and Tristan's emails, instant messages, and texts were incredibly funny, as was their banter when they finally met in person. Even though Sherilyn's actions seemed extreme in the abstract, her reasons for lying to both Tristan and her family were understandable, and I couldn't help but empathize with her. I was very happy that everything worked out for her and Tristan in the end.
 

Overall, both stories were a ton of fun, and I highly recommend this book for all romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next installment of the series.

 

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

 

About "Cookout Carnage"

Cookout Carnage contains two riotous romantic comedies: Up in Smoke and Off with a Bang.

Off with a Bang – by Evie Alexander
Posh Brit Tristan has fallen for his American work colleague over Zoom. When she invites him to spend the Fourth of July with her and her family, he leaps at the chance to meet face to face. Maybe they can be more than just friends?

Sherilyn is in big trouble. She’s in love with someone she’s never met, and he’s just accepted an invitation she was sure he’d turn down. Tristan might think he’s about to meet a cute girl and her cookie-cutter family, but she’s Sherrie-Lynne, not Sherilyn. And when he discovers her family are lawless rednecks, he’s going to run a country mile.

Now, Sherilyn has to produce a fake family and put on a show bigger than her small town’s Fourth of July celebrations. Can she pull it off, or will she end up driving both Tristan and her family away forever?

Up in Smoke – by Kelly Kay
Cute farm boy Jonathan is about to get married to the wrong person. He’s clinging to an ideal of love, but his bride-to-be seems more interested in his best man, and wants to eat his pet. Jonathan’s heart has always belonged to his friend Juliet, but she left town years ago.

Now, the day before his nuptials, Juliet’s back and Jonathan’s had an epiphany. Can he get the right girl and find real happiness? Or is everything about to go up in smoke, including his pet pig? 

 

Review: A Series of Unfortunate Meet Cutes (anthology)

A Series of Unfortunate Meet Cutes by Tori Alvarez, et al.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked up "A Series of Unfortunate Meet Cutes" mainly because of Kelly Kay's contribution, "Follow Me," which I very much enjoyed. Based on that story and a handful of other standouts, I'd recommend this collection for all contemporary romance fans.

Individual reviews for several of the stories are included below. As a general note, it's worth mentioning how much I appreciated that the authors included a summary of tropes and heat ratings at the beginning of each story. I'd love to see other anthology organizers include something similar in future collections!

"Once Upon That Time I Started a Major Sh*t Show" by Maria Ann Germain: I really liked the unique story structure of this novella, which was narrated through a series of journal entries, text messages, receipts, boarding passes, and even party invitations. The story itself was cute and funny, and it definitely made me want to check out more of the author's work in the future. 4 stars.

"On the Rocks" by G.G. Gleason: I really enjoyed this story! The steamy scenes in this novella were my favorite ones of the entire book because of the way main characters Skylar and Seth communicated with each other. She hadn't had great experiences in the past, but instead of immediately assuming that his magical p33n would fix everything, he actually took the time to listen to her and what she enjoyed. I wish there were more men like that in the world! 4 stars.

"Follow Me" by Kelly Kay: While the story was a bit slow-paced for me at times, I enjoyed the instant connection between main characters Ingrid and Ian and empathized with Ingrid's desire to establish herself outside of her extended family's shadow and her own reputation as a former fashion influencer. Fans of rock star romance will definitely appreciate this one. 4 stars.

"Caution in Love" by K. Rodriguez: I would never have guessed that this is the author's first published work, but I will definitely be watching to see what she writes in the future! I loved the Latinx representation, and all of the food references (mmm, empanadas) made me hungry. Izzy and Chase had a bit of a rocky path to love, but they made a great couple, and I was rooting for them the whole way. 4 stars.

"Throne for It" by Melissa Williams: Insta-love isn't my favorite trope, but even I have to admit that this was a cute story. It's the prequel to a series launching later this summer, and I plan to pick up the first book when it releases. One thing I didn't quite understand about this story and hope the series will explain is why so many members of a random country's royal family were in Canada. Why couldn't Henry's niece's birthday party have been held in Cragnoor? 4 stars.

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

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Review: "Carlos" by Claire Hastings (part of Hot Boy Summer: A Charity Anthology)

Hot Boy Summer: A Charity Anthology 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Carlos" by Claire Hastings

The male lead of this story, Carlos Rivera, previously appeared as a secondary character in "Caught Up in You," but it works well as a standalone.

Carlos Rivera, head of maintenance for the Indigo Royal Resort in St. Thomas, finds a friendly stray dog on the beach outside the resort and impulsively decides to adopt him. His new companion is in need of medical care before Carlos can take him home, however. Enter Dr. Ashby Carver, a traveling veterinarian who works for a nonprofit focused on controlling the pet population by providing complimentary spay/neuter services. She and Carlos are immediately smitten, but unfortunately, her assignment on the island is only temporary. Is their relationship destined to be just a fling?

I really enjoyed this short, sweet, and steamy story. Even though Ashby and Carlos fell for each other quickly, I appreciated that it didn't feel like the usual kind of insta-love. They were just happy to be spending time together, and I could practically see the happy butterflies floating around them when they interacted.

I'd recommend this story for all fans of contemporary romance and can't wait to read the expanded version when Hastings releases it next year. I know it will be even better!

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

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Review: "That's What She Shed" by Melonie Johnson (A Season for Love anthology)

A Season for Love by Stephanie Morris, et al.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Review for "That's What She Shed" by Melonie Johnson:

Determined to reclaim her ex-husband's former man cave, recently divorced French teacher Tasha is attempting to pick a paint color at a big box home improvement store when she meets silver fox contractor Nate. At first, she thinks he's flirting with her and awkwardly attempts to flirt back, but when he offers his business card and mentions that he does free estimates, she's immediately embarrassed and convinced that she misunderstood his intentions. However, when Tasha's friends goad her into calling Nate and asking for his help a few weeks later, she may just find that her first impression was the right one.

Nate and Tasha were a ton of fun together, and I enjoyed their story tremendously. Tasha was endearingly awkward at times and managed to embarrass herself more than once, but I found her to be incredibly relatable. I appreciated how sweet and patient Nate was with her as she tried to figure out dating again after being married for so long. I also enjoyed Tasha's group of friends, who will hopefully return in future stories (along with updates on Tasha and Nate, of course).

I highly recommend "That's What She Shed" for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to whatever Melonie Johnson writes next!

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

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Review: "Cupid Calamity" by Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander

Congratulations to Kelly Kay and Evie Alexander on the release of "Cupid Calamity," book #1 of Evie and Kelly's Holiday Disasters series. Two days before Valentine's Day, a group of six strangers becomes unlikely friends after getting stuck in an airport lounge together. This book follows two of those characters through interconnected novellas as they find love in the midst of disaster.
 

In the first story, "Animal Attraction" by Evie Alexander, main characters Ben and Laurie meet in a safari-themed restaurant on Valentine's Day. He's all alone after being stood up by a business associate, while she's out with two work colleagues to celebrate her birthday. When Laurie's friends dare her to ask Ben out, she does it mainly to prove that she's not the boring rule-follower everyone thinks. They barely have a chance to explore their instant connection before the restaurant erupts into chaos thanks to a group of animals gone berserk. Can they make it through together?

Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to make of this story at first because it just seemed so over the top, but I ended up really liking it. The safari restaurant was completely insane! It was hilarious to read about, but much like Laurie, I would be terrified to go there in real life. Laurie and Ben were super cute together, however, and it was easy to root for them to overcome the challenges they faced and find a way to be together.

In the second story, "Stupid Cupid" by Kelly Kay, Sabrina is headed to New York City for a visit. She was looking forward to hanging out with her nieces, but instead, her sister set her up on a blind date for Valentine's Day. Patrick is also supposed to be on a blind date, but with another woman in the same restaurant. He notices Sabrina as soon as he arrives. She's definitely not the woman he's supposed to meet because she's wearing the wrong color dress, but he decides he has to speak with her anyway. Unfortunately, meeting each other was the only lucky thing about their night; after that was nothing but a comedy of errors. Sabrina and Patrick just could not seem to catch a break, but I loved that they didn't give up.

Both stories were a ton of fun and I would recommend this book for all romantic comedy fans. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next installment of the series.

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

 

About "Cupid Calamity"

 

A disastrously perfect blind date and a wild night out. Insta-love meets insta-disaster in these laugh-out-loud Valentine’s day novellas.

"Animal Attraction" by Evie Alexander

Overworked, underpaid and perpetually single, Laurie is stuck in a rut. A birthday on Valentine’s day is bad enough, but when her insensitive colleagues drag her to a secret Safari dining experience, her day hits rock bottom – she’s terrified of animals.

Workaholic Ben has just swapped the States for Somerset. He’s on track to fulfill a childhood dream, and the only date he wants on Valentine’s day is a business one. But when his fantasy woman approaches with an offer he can’t refuse, his priorities start to change.

Laurie and Ben have an instant connection and their chemistry is wild. Unfortunately so are the animals. When the menagerie goes into meltdown they’re thrown into a Darwinian Hunger Games, fighting for their lives as well as love. Can Businessman Ben unleash his inner Tarzan and save Laurie? Or has this survival of the fittest reached the point of no return?
 

"Stupid Cupid" by Kelly Kay

Resourceful Sabrina always puts others’ needs first. She never thought she’d be abandoning a blind date to run off with a stranger. But now she’s got the chance to face her demons and choose happiness – even if it’s just for one night.

Charmer Patrick can make any situation work in his favor. But snark and humor won’t be enough to win Sabrina’s heart. He’s got to dig deep, open up, and take on fate as well as New York City.

Armed with a fire extinguisher, a cobbler’s hammer, and an EpiPen, can Patrick and Sabrina survive the worst-best date of their lives and find true love? Or will they lose each other as well as the plot?

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Snowy Ever After" by Samantha Chase and Stefanie London

Today, I'm happy to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Snowy Ever After," which includes two wedding-themed holiday novellas: "Wedding Wonderland" by Samantha Chase, part of the Magnolia Sound series, and "Destined for Forever" by Stefanie London, a spinoff of the Patterson's Bluff series.

 

An individual review for each novella is below, but in short, I very much enjoyed both of these stories and highly recommend them for all contemporary romance fans.

"Wedding Wonderland" by Samantha Chase
 

"Wedding Wonderland" is part of Chase's Magnolia Sound series and features the same main characters as book #7, author Mia Kingsley and contractor Austin Coleman. It works relatively well as a standalone, though readers who are already familiar with the previous books of the series will enjoy the numerous cameos from past characters. 

Ever since Mia and Austin got engaged, Mia's mother has been pushing them to have a big wedding in Boston, but they've decided on a more intimate event in Magnolia Sound. The one thing they can't agree on is the timing: Mia wants a wedding on the beach next summer, while Austin wants to get married before the end of the year because he hates the thought of having to wait any longer to make her his wife. He manages to convince Mia that a holiday wedding will be romantic, but she's not sure they can plan something on such short notice. Thanks to the amazing wedding planners of Meet Me at the Altar, it looks like they just might be able to pull it off until a freak snowstorm threatens to wreck all of their carefully laid plans. Will Austin and Mia ever make it down the aisle?

This was such a cute story! Mia and Austin were more in love than ever and it was wonderful to see them working together to overcome the challenges of wedding planning. I particularly appreciated Austin's efforts to protect Mia by acting as a buffer between her and her overbearing mother. I wanted to cheer when he finally told her mother off in the end!

Overall, I loved "Wedding Wonderland" and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I look forward to my next "visit" to Magnolia Sound. 5 stars.

"Destined for Forever" by Stefanie London

"Destined for Forever" is a spinoff of London's Patterson's Bluff series and follows "A Merry Aussie Christmas" (originally included in 2020's "Christmas Actually" anthology and releasing as a single title later this month). It does read as a standalone, but a number of characters from past stories make appearances in this one.

A month ago, screenwriter Lily Dunn was publicly humiliated when her famous actor boyfriend dumped her on national television. Now, all she wants is for the tabloids, her ex's nosy fans, and her well-meaning relatives to stop talking about it. Hoping to forget her troubles for a weekend, Lily's headed to her cousin Evie's destination wedding near Boston when she runs into Sean Hutcherson, the groom's best man and Lily's teenage crush. They haven't seen each other in years, but sitting next to each other on the plane gives them plenty of time to catch up. When Lily jokes that she should have hired an actor to play her fake boyfriend for the weekend so that no one would ask about her famous ex, Sean immediately volunteers to play the part himself. What Lily doesn't know is that her long-ago crush wasn't as one-sided as she believed, and now that they're grown and living on two different continents, Sean believes that faking a relationship is the only way he'll ever have a chance to experience what it would be like to be with her.

Lily and Sean were a lot of fun together, and I especially enjoyed the way they bantered and teased each other. The connection between them remained strong even after so many years apart, and they really seemed to bring out the best in each other. Sean helped Lily focus on things other than work, which ultimately led her to realize that she wasn't happy with her current career path and needed to make a change. In return, Lily helped Sean overcome some lingering baggage from his childhood and realize that he didn't have to settle for a dead-end job, leaving him free to pursue his true passion of becoming a lifeguard. 

Overall, "Destined for Forever" was an excellent read and I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance. I look forward to whatever Stefanie London writes next. 5 stars.

 

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

 

 

About "Snowy Ever After"

What could be better than a holiday wedding?
How about two?

Join bestselling authors Samantha Chase and Stefanie London for a whole lot of love this holiday season with Snowy Ever After!

With some of your favorite Magnolia Sound and Patterson's Bluff residents, we can guarantee you'll get all those small town, holiday feels with guaranteed happily ever afters and I Do's!

WEDDING WONDERLAND by Samantha Chase

SAVE THE DATE!
You are cordially invited to the wedding of Mia Kingsley and Austin Coleman.
Or you will be if a snowstorm doesn't blanket the town with piles of fresh snow, making the trip to the chapel near impossible.
But the Coleman family is not about to let a measly little storm ruin Mia and Austin's perfect day. After all, Magnolia Sound is just the place for a perfect wedding wonderland.

DESTINED FOR FOREVER by Stefanie London

Romantic comedy screenwriter, Lily Dunn, watches her life go from happily ever after to crappily ever after when she gets dumped on live television.

Facing her overprotective family at her cousin's wedding is not ideal. They think she's not cut out for cutthroat Hollywood. How can she prove she's moved on? Pretend to have a new man, of course. The only rule is: keep it fake.

But the chemistry with her former high school crush burns hotter than an open fire. Can two bruised and battered hearts find the kind of love that only happens in the movies?

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, or Barnes & Noble! 

Review: Tinsel and Tatas: A Holiday Romantic Comedy Anthology

Tinsel and Tatas: A Holiday Romantic Comedy Anthology by Kilby Blades
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Tinsel and Tatas" was a fantastic collection of short, fun stories benefiting a charity that's particularly special to me, and I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I started by reading the stories from my favorite authors and then moved on to the ones from new-to-me authors that were most appealing, but I ran out of time to read them all before I had to write my review. I will likely revisit the collection to read the rest of the stories in the future.

"Wilder for the Win" by Serena Bell: This story is part of Bell's Wilder Adventures series but works as a standalone. After years of marriage, three kids, and launching two successful businesses, Heath and Amanda (Wilder) Kenning are desperate to recapture the spark between them. I loved this super cute novella, which aptly demonstrated the importance of good communication and asking your partner for help. Amanda and Heath were both incredibly likeable and the misunderstanding between them was very relatable. 5 stars.

"Last One Gets the Booby Prize" by Kilby Blades: Even though this seems to be a sort of bonus epilogue featuring the main characters from "The Secret Ingredient" (which I haven't read yet), it worked well on its own and I really enjoyed it. Max was such a sweet, supportive husband, and I appreciated that he was secure enough to step back and let his wife, celebrity chef Cella Dawes, enjoy the spotlight. 4 stars.

"Mixing Merrymas" by Dylann Crush: This is a novella in the upcoming Whiskey Wars series but works as a standalone. After her sister Charity pressures her to spend the holidays together, Grace Devine returns home to Beaver Bluff, Tennessee for the first time since her mother's death. She meets bartender Arlo when she stops for a drink on her way from the airport to her sister's house, and they turn out to be each other's lucky charm. I loved this cute, sweet story, which featured a healthy dose of steam and the ugliest, most adorable dog imaginable. 5 stars.

"Two Nights to Believe" by Melonie Johnson: This story is a follow-up to "Too Good to be Real" featuring engaged couple Penelope and Jay, but works as a standalone. Penelope and Jay only have two days to organize a charity event in honor of their boss's friend, who was recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. A survivor of childhood cancer herself, the topic strikes close to home for Penelope, who worries that her "miracle" has an expiration date and she won't get the chance to grow old with Jay. She and Jay were an endearing couple, and IMO Jay's response to Penelope's fears was absolutely perfect. He never tried to talk her out of them, just reassured her that no matter what happened, they would face it together. I completely adored this story; in fact, it was my favorite one of the entire collection. (The sweet corgi cameos were just an added bonus!) 5 stars.

"Decidedly with Tinsel" by Stina Lindenblatt: Juliette Rogers and Drew Chapman were best friends (and secret crushes) as teenagers, but have now become workplace enemies as adults thanks to a messy falling out between their families. Forced to team up in a charity competition against a rival advertising firm, the old feelings between them reignite, but Drew's ex-girlfriend is determined to win him back. Will history repeat itself or can Drew and Juliette manage to get things right this time? This was a fun enemies-to-lovers story, and I really enjoyed the competition aspect of it. 4.5 stars.

"Star Bright" by Susannah Nix: This story serves as a standalone prequel to Nix's Starstruck series, though readers may remember the female lead, actress Kimberleigh Cress, from her brief appearance in book #2 ("Rising Star"). Kimberleigh has avoided speaking with entertainment reporter Spencer Devlin ever since an uncomfortable interview she did with him went viral. However, after he helps her through a panic attack, she realizes that Spencer isn't actually who she thought he was. I loved this story and can't wait for more when the full, expanded version comes out next year. 5 stars.

"Pretty Packages" by Marika Ray: This is a standalone story set in the Jobs from Hell/Sisters from Hell world. The last thing mail carrier James wants to do is show his gossipy co-worker Poppy's secret granddaughter around the town of Auburn Hill, but when he meets Liv, it turns out to be love at first sight. This was such a funny, sweet, and heartwarming story! Liv was so brave to share her story, and I loved James's response when she let him see her scars for the first time. 5 stars.

"A Brit Under the Mistletoe" by Brenda St. John Brown: Gemma invites her friend Oliver to run the Santa Dash charity 5K with her at Castle Calder, hoping that he will finally see her as more than a friend. However, Oliver turns the tables on her when he asks Gemma to pose as his fake girlfriend to ward off advances from another woman. This was a cute story, if a bit frustrating for me because the only thing keeping Oliver and Gemma apart was the fact that they wouldn't talk to each other. 4 stars.

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

View all my reviews

Release Blitz + Review: The Ryker Ranch Collection by Kim Loraine

I'm pleased to participate in the release blitz promoting The Ryker Ranch Collection by Kim Loraine, which includes the first three books of the Ryker Ranch series: "Saddle Up," "Bucked Off," and "Ridden Hard."

 

An individual review for each book is below, but in short, I very much enjoyed this collection and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans.

Book 1: "Saddle Up"

Clint Ryker, the eldest of the five Ryker siblings and majority owner of Ryker Ranch, is doing his best to hold everything together after a heartbreaking betrayal by his ex-girlfriend, Jess. The ranch is in dire financial straits after Jess stole most of the Ryker family's money and disappeared, and if they can't find a way to increase their revenue, they may be forced to sell. Without her children's knowledge, Clint's mother arranges a meeting with reality TV producer Ever Wilson, who's looking for a place to film her new reality show, described as a cross between "City Slickers" and "Survivor." Clint and his brothers are concerned about the prospect of allowing untrained workers to try their hand at potentially dangerous ranch work, but Ever is offering a lot of money, which the ranch desperately needs. Clint finally agrees to Ever's proposal, but only if she can get through two weeks as a ranch hand first.

Even though he swore off relationships after Jess's betrayal, Clint couldn't help being drawn to Ever as soon as they met, and their feelings for each other grew quickly in spite of his fears. Surprisingly, it was Ever who panicked as they started to grow closer, running back to Los Angeles and using a no-fraternization clause in the reality show contract as an excuse to break things off. Clint wouldn't let her go without a fight, however. It was sweet how protective he was of her, even though at first he tried to pass it off as concern for the ranch and their liability if she got hurt while working there. 

Overall, "Saddle Up" was a great start to the Ryker Ranch series and I enjoyed it. It will be very interesting to see what happens with Clint's siblings as the reality show begins filming over the next few books of the series. 4 stars.

Book 2: "Bucked Off"

When middle brother Buck Ryker learns that producers of the reality show being filmed on his family's ranch plan to script a "romance" between him and one of the show's contestants, he's determined to avoid it by any means necessary. His younger brother Tristan suggests that Buck find a fake fiancee to take himself off the market. At first, Buck doesn't take the idea seriously, but when he runs into his teenage crush Penny Callahan, now a recently unemployed massage therapist, he quickly realizes that a fake relationship would be beneficial for them both. In exchange for acting as his fiancee for three months, Buck offers Penny a place to live, a job in the new Ryker Ranch spa, and a share of his earnings from the reality show, which Penny plans to use to buy her dream house and start her own business after their "relationship" ends. Living together proves to be more of a challenge than either of them expected when their long-simmering chemistry finally ignites. Will they really be able to walk away when their agreement comes to an end?

 

I loved Buck and Penny as a couple and thought that their relationship development was perfectly paced. As much as they tried to tell themselves they were only friends with benefits, it was obvious that they had a deeper connection from the start. Their banter was a ton of fun, and I also enjoyed how sweetly Buck cared for Penny after she was thrown from her horse and injured. He even read her romance novels and seemed to enjoy them - be still, my heart!

Overall, I enjoyed "Bucked Off" even more than the first book of the Ryker Ranch series and highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. I look forward to finding out what happens in the next book. 5 stars.

Book 3: "Ridden Hard"
 

While out with her twin sister Erin for a night of fun following a tough divorce, nurse practitioner Hazel meets and has a one-night stand with Tristan Ryker, who's in town to see his older brother Sam compete in a rodeo competition. Several weeks later, Hazel is shocked to learn that she's pregnant. She and Tristan didn't exchange phone numbers or even last names, so she has no way to contact him at first. She finally figures out his identity after she and Erin watch the first episode of the Saddle Up reality show, which is filmed at Ryker Ranch. Afterwards, Erin decides to book them a stay at the ranch so that Hazel can share the news with her baby daddy. Hazel doesn't expect anything from Tristan, but he surprises her by insisting on being there for her and his child. 

 

There was a lot more to Tristan than it seemed based on his playboy reputation, and as Hazel's week on the ranch progressed, she found it increasingly difficult to resist him. Still recovering from the trauma of her divorce, Hazel was understandably afraid of making a mistake that would result in her getting hurt again. However, Tristan knew that Hazel was special, and I loved how patient and understanding he was in his efforts to prove that he was worthy of her trust.

Overall, "Ridden Hard" was another excellent addition to the Ryker Ranch series, and I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance fans. 5 stars.

 

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

 

About The Ryker Ranch Collection

Three swoony cowboys, three bestselling standalone romances, one collection from Kim Loraine's Sunrise, Montana world.

SADDLE UP

He's a handsome cowboy trying to save his family's ranch.
I'm a reality TV producer with a brilliant plan.
Sparks fly when Clint Ryker strikes a deal with me that brings me to the ranch to learn the ropes. But when we get snowed in together, with only one bed, everything changes.

BUCKED OFF

A word of advice. Don't fall in love with your fake fiancée.
When the producer of my family's reality show, Saddle Up, tried to get me to participate in an on-screen scripted romance, I saw only one way out. I told them I was unavailable--engaged, to be exact. That meant I needed a fake fiancée, pronto. Enter spitfire, and the girl who got away once upon a time, Penny Callahan. It should be harmless. Pretend to be together until the show is done shooting, then move on with our lives. But living with the woman of my dreams and playing the part of lovesick fool is easy for reasons I don't want to admit. And I don't want to let her go.

RIDDEN HARD

Baby daddy (noun)
slang
The cowboy who knocked me up after one night together.

They call me the wild one.
The Ryker brother who'd rather have more notches on his bedpost than rodeo championships.
I'm good with horses, even better with women. I've been warned that sowing my oats might have consequences, but I'm always careful. And there's nothing wrong with having a little fun.
But the truth is, I want more than fun. I want it all. With the right girl.
So when the most beautiful woman I've ever seen shows up at my ranch, it should all fall into place. Except she's got a big surprise for me. She's pregnant, and the kid is mine, but she wants nothing to do with me.

 

Blog Tour + Review: "Broody Billionaire: The Wes Lancaster Collection" by Max Monroe

I'm thrilled to take part in the blog tour celebrating "Broody Billionaire: The Wes Lancaster Collection" by Max Monroe. The novel and two novellas included in this collection are part of the Billionaire Bad Boys series, but the collection works well as a standalone for readers new to Max Monroe's work.

Individual reviews for each title in the collection are included below, but in short, I loved all three of these hilarious stories and highly recommend them for contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. Even if you've already read the first two (previously published) stories in the bundle, it's totally worth the price for the new story alone.

 

"Scoring the Billionaire" (previously published)

"Scoring the Billionaire" features Wes Lancaster, owner of the NFL's New York Mavericks, BAD restaurant, and numerous other business ventures, and Dr. Winnie Winslow, the Mavericks' new team physician and single mom to precocious 6-year-old Lexi. Wes had no interest in a serious relationship, especially with a single mom, and Winnie's first priority would always be her daughter. Neither could resist the intense chemistry between them, however, and what started as a fling soon turned into much more. In fact, it wasn't long before Wes found himself teaching Winnie's daughter how to kick a field goal and driving her to youth football practice. Lexi's relationship with Wes was one of my favorite parts of the book; he fell in love with her right along with her mama, and I loved watching the three of them come together as a family.

I also enjoyed Winnie's growing friendship with Georgia and Cassie, the female leads of the first two books in this series. Those two crack me up every single time that they're together, and adding Cassie's pregnancy to the mix just made them even funnier this time around.

Overall, "Scoring the Billionaire" was a tremendously entertaining addition to this series, and I loved it. I highly recommend this story, either on its own or as part of the bundle, and can't wait to find out what's next for these characters.

"Scoring Her" (previously published)

In "Scoring Her," the entire Billionaire Bad Boy crew is in the Bahamas because of a promotional event for Wes's NFL team, and as usual when they're together, shenanigans abound. The main culprits are Thatch and Cassie, who'd been having some trouble getting their groove back after the birth of their son a few months earlier. They managed to trick Kline and Georgia into playing nanny, but how long would they be able to hide from their exasperated best friends turned babysitters? Those weren't the only problems Kline and Georgia were facing, but I loved Kline's sweet efforts to reassure Georgia that no matter what, they would always face things together. I also loved seeing Wes, Winnie, and Lexi continue to grow together as a family.

Overall, this super cute and funny story put a big smile on my face, and I highly recommend it.

"Red, White, & You" (new release)

In "Red, White, & You," after a heat wave and rolling blackouts hit New York City, forcing Wes to cancel the giant 4th of July barbecue he had planned for his restaurant, he and Winnie decide to get out of town and enjoy some family time with their daughter Lexi. They're expecting a week of quiet relaxation at Winnie's family lake house, but they end up with the exact opposite: Winnie's four older brothers crash their vacation, followed by Cassie, Thatcher, Kline, Georgia, and their respective spawn.

The Winslow brothers were a ton of fun in this story, and I can't wait to see what kind of trouble they get up to in their individual books later this year. Jude caused plenty in this story with Thatch; for everyone's safety, those two should probably be kept far apart in the future!

This was another laugh-out-loud funny, sweet story, and I loved getting to spend some extra time with these characters. For those who have already read the previous two stories, it's worth the price of the bundle for this novella alone.

 

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

 

About "Broody Billionaire"

Broody Billionaire, an all new hilarious and binge-worthy romantic comedy collection of Scoring the Billionaire, Scoring Her and the ALL NEW novella Red, White & You from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is available now!

Sexy-as-sin, broody, and mysterious, Wes Lancaster is the ultimate billionaire bachelor.

But what happens when this hot billionaire bad boy and owner of the New York Mavericks football team meets his feisty match?

Meet the broodiest billionaire of all time in one sexy, steamy, downright hilarious, and binge-worthy romantic comedy collection (all for the price of one novella, too!).

This collection includes the following three books:

• Scoring the Billionaire
• Scoring Her
• And a BRAND-NEW novella, Red, White, & You

Scoring the Billionaire
Even though two of his best friends have settled down, Wes Lancaster is determined not to get sucked into some siren’s web. As owner of the professional football team the New York Mavericks and wildly successful BAD restaurant, his lifestyle is full as it is.

Well, it was, until Winnie Winslow, the new, sexy, stiletto-wearing team physician trash-talks him in the locker room without batting an eye.

Now he can’t stop himself from wanting her.

The only girl in her parents’ brood of five, she’s as outspoken as she is beautiful and the kind of woman who holds her own—and then some.

Always competitive at heart, if he’s going all in for love…
Wes sure as hell wants a Win-Win.

Prepare to get a little dirty because this one might go into overtime.
Game. On.

Scoring Her
Wes and Winnie’s love is stronger—and hotter—than ever, but will it lead them to saying “I do”?

Find out what’s next for the happy couple, plus experience seeing the fun and hilarity that comes from having the Billionaire Bad Boys gang back together again.

Only this time, they’re Bahamas-bound with the hot football players of Wes Lancaster’s New York Mavericks.

Red, White, & You
City-wide power outages.

A failed BBQ at Wes’s BAD restaurant.

A last-minute escape out of NYC to enjoy the Fourth of July at Winnie’s uncle and aunt’s lake house.

Several unexpected—and uninvited—guests.
 

And an explosive fireworks show that requires the assistance of the Greenwood Fire Department.

It wasn’t quite the Fourth of July they had in mind.

Sometimes, even the best-laid plans don’t survive.
But what if the universe is planning something even better?

It’s safe to say that Wes and Winnie Lancaster are about to experience a summer vacation they’ll never forget.

 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Charming Billionaire: The Thatcher Kelly Collection" by Max Monroe

I'm delighted to participate in the blog tour celebrating the release of "Charming Billionaire: The Thatcher Kelly Collection" by Max Monroe. The novel and two novellas included in this collection are part of the Billionaire Bad Boys series, but the collection works perfectly as a standalone for readers new to Max Monroe's work.

 

Individual reviews for each title in the collection are included below, but in short, I loved all three of these hilarious stories because of the endearing characters and flirty, witty banter between protagonists Thatcher and Cassie. I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. Even if you've already read the first two (previously published) stories in the bundle, it's totally worth the price for the new story alone.

 

"Banking the Billionaire" (previously published)

 

"Banking the Billionaire" features billionaire financial consultant Thatcher "Thatch" Kelly and photographer Cassie Phillips, the best friends of Kline and Georgia Brooks from "Tapping the Billionaire." Readers familiar with Kline and Georgia's story will likely recall Thatch as the cocky, charming, playful prankster whose efforts to "help" Kline ended in disaster on more than one occasion. I loved seeing Thatch get a taste of his own medicine from Crazy Cassie in this story. Their efforts to one-up each other made for a lot of laughs, but they both ended up winners when their escalating dares ended with them falling in love. Their chemistry and banter were truly epic, and I enjoyed the way Cassie brought out Thatch's kind, caring, and protective side. If ever two people were perfect for each other, it's Thatch and Cassie, though their friends should probably be afraid now that the two of them have joined forces!

Overall, I absolutely adored "Banking the Billionaire" and highly recommend it, either on its own or as part of the bundle. Cassie and Thatch are my favorite Max Monroe couple, and that's really saying something because they have so many great ones!

"Banking Her" (previously published)

 

"Banking Her" is both a bonus epilogue to Cassie and Thatch's story and a setup for their friends' Wes Lancaster and Dr. Winnie Winslow's story in book #3 of the Billionaire Bad Boys series ("Scoring the Billionaire"). Newly pregnant Cassie has rearranged her schedule to fit in as many photography assignments as possible before the baby comes, but Thatch worries that something will happen to her while she's traveling. The situation comes to a head while Cassie is in Phoenix on assignment for Wes's football team, the New York Mavericks. Overprotective Thatch has secretly followed Cassie from New York to keep an eye on her, but when Kline and Georgia figure out what he's been up to and decide to "help" him, hilarity ensues.

It was adorable to see how Thatch worried about Cassie and wanted to take care of her as soon as they found out she was pregnant. While he certainly took things too far, it was very entertaining to sit back and watch his antics, and his grand gesture at the end was incredibly sweet.

Overall, "Banking Her" was a super cute and funny story, and I highly recommend it.

"Crazy Fluffing Love" (new release)

In "Crazy Fluffing Love," pregnancy hormones have hit Cassie hard, and poor Thatch fears for his life after an unfortunate burrito incident. Desperate to do anything that will make his wife happy, he agrees to Cassie's suggestion to plan their honeymoon. Instead of the relaxing, post-baby break Thatch was expecting, Cassie decides on an immediate trip to Panama City, Florida, the spring break capital of the world, to experience her last bit of wild and crazy freedom before becoming a mom. It's October, so not exactly the height of spring break season, but that doesn't mean that Cassie won't have a few surprises up her sleeve for Thatch!

 

This was another laugh-out-loud funny, sweet story, and I loved getting to spend some extra time with Cassie and Thatch. For those who have already read the previous two stories, it's worth the price of the bundle for this novella alone.
 

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

 

 

About "Charming Billionaire"

Players gonna play, but can a wild, untamable, alpha billionaire player fall in love? 

 

Charming Billionaire, an all-new laugh out loud romantic comedy collection of Banking the Billionaire, Banking Her, and the all new novella Crazy Fluffing Love from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is available now!

Meet the most irresistible billionaire of all time in one sexy, steamy, downright hilarious, and binge-worthy romantic comedy collection (all for the price of one novella, too!)

This collection includes the following three books:

• Banking the Billionaire
• Banking Her
• And a BRAND-NEW novella, Crazy Fluffing Love

Banking the Billionaire
Uninhibited. Sarcastic. Confident. Beautiful.
With a thriving photography career that allows her to travel all over the world and capture the hottest of men behind her camera lens, Cassie Phillips is the woman who can’t be tamed.

Adrenaline junkie. Jokester. Billionaire. Hot-as-sin.
At six foot five, with muscles for days, and that perfect playful smile, Thatcher Kelly is the kind of man you don’t want to deny.

Wild for wild.
Prank for prank.
The two unlikeliest of people may be the only ones to see that some personality traits only run skin-deep.

Banking Her
Thatch and Cassie have finally found their perfect balance of good and sweet, crazy and playful, and most importantly, hot and insatiable.

But what happens when they’re faced with a surprise neither of them plotted or schemed?

While Cassie seems to be taking everything in stride, Thatch can’t stop himself from worrying about every little thing revolving around the woman he loves.

How does a man handle that kind of anxiety?

Doing the only thing he can to ease his mind without pushing away the woman he loves, Thatch proves that, once again, when it comes to him and Cass, you’ll never see what’s coming.

Crazy Fluffing Love
MISSING PERSON
Name: Thatcher Kelly
Age: Mid-thirties
Height: 6 foot 5 inches
Weight: A very sexy, lean, and muscular 250 pounds
Last seen: Panama City Beach, Florida
Important Note: This guy is a real good-looking motherfluffer.

Look, I know this might seem a little over the top to already prepare for my face to be plastered all over Missing Persons flyers, but trust me, it’s not.

My pregnant wife Cassie—whose hormones are swinging like a fluffing pendulum—has decided that we need a honeymoon.

Right the F now.

She wants us to go on a celebratory “spring break,” we-just-got-married vacation to none other than Panama City Beach, Florida. But the only problem is, it’s not spring.

It’s not even summer.

It’s October, my crazy-hot wife is pregnant, and things are starting to get really fluffing weird.

If you’re reading this, send help and plan a really nice memorial for my very super, beloved, *ahem* male member, who, for the sake of public decency, shall remain nameless. I’m not entirely sure he’s going to make it out alive.

Note from Author: Every book in this collection ends in an HEA. 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Charming Billionaire"

Intro

Thatch 

 
I’m Thatcher Kelly.

Harvard graduate.

Financial Consultant for Brooks Media and its subsidiaries and several other Fortune 500 companies.

What? It sounds familiar? Fuck that.
I can’t help it if Kline went first and stole all of my shit.

Net worth: $1.2 billion. Yeah, perfect Kline is worth more than me. But I have my hands on a lot more things. Important things.

Okay, maybe not important. But they’re…pussies. I have my hands on pussies.

Relax, I’m kidding. Well, mostly.

A man of many talents, I have more interests and jobs than you would expect.

Adrenaline Junkie. Jumps and falls, dives or climbs—orgasms. If it makes the bottom fall out of your stomach and end up in your throat with a wave of pleasure for your whole body to surf afterward, I’m in.

I’m built like a tree, but I’d rather do anything than just stand there.

Get out, get wild, fucking live life.

It’s also probably not a surprise I’m known for going through a laundry list of women. Quite frankly, I won’t fucking apologize for it. They’ve all meant something to me, regardless of the amount of time they’ve been in my life, long or short, and they’ve all taught me something about life or myself that I won’t give back.

But I’ve also longed for the kind of monogamy my friend Kline has for most of my life. A person who does their best to know you in and out and looks out for you when you can’t look out for yourself. The kind of person who wants to live life to its very fullest—but wants to do it with you.

Bottom line, I’m eclectic. A confusing mix of inappropriate jokes and heartfelt sentiment, you can dig and dig, and you’ll still be miles from the bottom of me.

At least, that had always been the case until Cassie Phillips.

She’s crazy and needy and borderline inappropriate at all times.

But she’s got the softest untamed heart when you’re someone she cares about, and fuck if that hasn’t become my singularly most important goal—mean something to the woman who already means all the things to me.

Because for the guy who wants wild and commitment in the same fucking breath, you better believe it’s going to be one bumpy ride.

Fasten that seat belt tight, ladies and gentleman.

This is us.

 

***