Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "Hot Stuff" by Max Monroe

Today's final review comes as part of the blog tour celebrating the release of Max Monroe's latest hysterically funny rom-com, "Hot Stuff." It's a follow up to last October's "Single Dad Seeks Juliet" (the heroes are best friends), but reads as a standalone.

"Hot Stuff" is a forbidden romance featuring handsome single dad and firefighter Garrett Alexander, who falls in love with his boss's daughter, Dr. Lauren Carroll. Lauren was endearingly awkward in social settings after spending so much of the last decade focused on medical school and residency, but the chemistry between her and Garrett was immediately apparent, and I loved their witty, teasing banter. 

Garrett was such a great dad, and I appreciated how devoted he was to spending time with his kids, 12-year-old twins Sarah and Hayden. They were so funny, especially smart, sassy Sarah, who was way too intelligent for her own good (and Garrett's). The way that they immediately accepted and welcomed Lauren into their family was lovely.

Overall, I adored this laugh-out-loud funny, sweet story and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to get my hands on Max Monroe's next book!

 

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

 

 

About "Hot Stuff"

Hot Stuff, an all-new sexy and swoon-worthy rom com from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is available now!

Have you ever seen a fireman who’s so insanely sexy you’d actually consider DIY-ing a little at-home arson just so he’d show up at your front door?

Dramatic, I know, but hear me out.

Chiseled hot body, bright blue eyes, and the sexiest smile I’ve ever seen, the first time I saw Garrett Alexander in my exam room, it took everything inside me not to do something crazy like mount him during his yearly physical.

Not only is he a total babe, but he’s charming, hilarious, and the kind of single dad that would make your ovaries explode—the total freaking package.

I know you’re probably wondering, What in the heck are you waiting for, girl? Go get yourself a fireman!

But, see, there’s one teeny-tiny (read: huge) problem—if we got together, we’d have to keep our relationship a secret.

I know. Who even am I? Some heroine in a freaking forbidden romance novel?

Let me guess, now you’re probably thinking...Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Don’t do it, girl. Don’t fall for the sexy, off-limits man. It’s not worth it.

Well, too late. I already went and did it.

And I have a feeling this fire of ours is going to go up in a big, mushroom-cloud-worthy, ball of figurative smoke. 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "Hot Stuff"

Suddenly, the door to Garrett’s room cracks open, and he peeks his head out, damn near startling me into another dimension.

Noticing my hysterical jump and defensive pose, he quiets his voice to a whisper. “Sorry to, um, startle you. I just… I’m ready.”

“Of course. Yeah.” I nod feverishly, follow him into the room, and take a few discreet, calming breaths to slow down the rate at which my heart is sprinting inside my chest. Honestly, for a woman who did gymnastics in her childhood, you’d think my cardiovascular system would be able to tolerate adrenaline a little better than this. A minor startle from a hot fireman and I’m panting like a dog in heat.

His gown covers everything, but it’s strangely anticipatory and it feels like I’m seeing more of him than I should. It’s weird and odd and completely irrational. So, I shut my eyes for a brief moment and force myself into doctor mode.

“Just take a seat on the exam table, please,” I instruct him with a gesture of my hand.

He does without question.

Then I start my assessment.

First, his vital signs. Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.

All good. All within normal limits.

Next, with my stethoscope, I listen to his heart and lungs and abdomen.

Also, good. Steady, strong, clear.

“Am I going to live to see another day, Dr. Lauren?” he asks once I finish a quick reflex check, smirking up at me from his spot on the exam table, and I can’t not return his expression with a grin.

“Yes, it appears that you will,” I answer and make a few notes in his chart. “Now, if you don’t mind, please stand up in front of the exam table so I can…uh…check…your…uh…te$ticles.”

Okay, Lauren. Be cool. Be. Cool. It’s just another day at the office, and Garrett is just another set of anatomy... 

 

***

Release Blitz + Review: "The Bookworm's Guide to Flirting" by Emma Hart

Today's fun continues with the release blitz celebrating "The Bookworm's Guide to Flirting" by Emma Hart, the third and final book of The Bookworm's Guide series. Each book of this trilogy focuses on one of three best friends who co-own a bookstore in the small town of White Peak, Montana; while each installment reads as a standalone, the stories are interconnected and characters make multiple appearances throughout the series. 

 

In book #3, delightfully snarky bookworm Saylor Green finally met her match in hot British personal trainer Dylan Parker, who also happened to be her good friend and roommate. Each was reluctant to cross the line from friends to lovers, which was totally understandable given how terribly awkward it would have been for them to have to live together if their romance didn't work out. However, after some matchmaking "help" and encouragement from Saylor's best friends and business partners Holley and Kinsley (along with their boyfriends), Saylor and Dylan finally decided to give dating a try. I'm so happy that they did because the two of them were completely adorable together. I loved their flirty, witty banter, and Saylor's internal monologue had me laughing from the first chapter all the way until the end. 

Hart is a master at creating lovably quirky secondary characters, and the ones in this series were no exception. I particularly loved Saylor, Holley, and Kinsley's grandparents and the other residents of White Peak's assisted living facility. Their shenanigans related to the duck pond were hilarious!

 

As much as I've enjoyed this entire series, I think "The Bookworm's Guide to Flirting" was my favorite book of them all. I highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy and look forward to Emma Hart's next release, a new series set in the same town as this one.

 

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

 

 

About "The Bookworm's Guide to Flirting"

What I thought I’d get on Valentine’s Day: books.
What I got on Valentine’s Day: a blind date with my brand new roommate.

Let it be known that I, Saylor Green, am wholeheartedly against blind dating. I think it’s superficial, unnecessary, and designed wholly to force people into relationships they aren’t ready for.
It’s me. I’m people.
So when Dylan Parker takes the seat across from me, I’m ready to dismiss him at one glance.
The problem? He’s hot and funny and sweet and the exact kind of guy I read about in the romance novels I sell like hotcakes in my bookstore.
He’s also my new roommate.
Who likes to walk around in his sweatpants and peer over my shoulder and comment on all my online dating escapades.
When he offers to help me flirt my way to dating success, I’m all for it.
But what am I supposed to do when the only person I want to flirt with is... Dylan? 

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Bet the Farm" by Staci Hart

Next up we have today's release blitz for "Bet the Farm" by Staci Hart, an absolutely delightful opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers, small town romantic comedy. I've enjoyed nearly everything Hart has written, but I truly believe this book is one of her best. 

 

I wasn't expecting this story to hit me in the feels as much as it did, but I was surprisingly emotional as reluctant partners Olivia Brent and Jake Milovic worked through the fallout from Olivia’s grandfather's death and tried to figure out how to save his beloved dairy farm. Sunshine Olivia advocated modernizing the farm's operations and using social media to their advantage, while grumpy Jake fought to keep things the same and run the farm just as Olivia's grandfather had in tribute to his memory. I loved Jake and Olivia's fiery chemistry and flirty, teasing banter. They made a great team once they got past their differences and stopped bickering long enough to work together.

 

The book's secondary characters were also a ton of fun. I particularly enjoyed Kit, the farm's cook who acted as a sort of mother figure to Olivia and Jake, and Olivia's friend Presley with her adorable 3-year-old daughter, Priscilla. I had to laugh every time Priscilla demanded "monies" because one of the adults said a bad word! I don't remember if it was ever explicitly stated, but I got the impression that Presley was a single mom; if so, I'd love to read a sequel in which she gets a HEA of her own!

Overall, I adored "Bet the Farm" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. For the second time in less than a week, I'm adding a book to my "favorites of 2021" list, and it's only February! I can't wait to see what Staci Hart writes next.

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

 

 

About "Bet the Farm"

Olivia Brent has one summer to save the dairy farm she just inherited.

But there’s one problem, and it’s not her lactose intolerance.

Jake Milovic.

The brooding farmhand has inherited exactly fifty percent of Brent Farm, and he’s so convinced the city girl can’t work the land, he bets she can’t save it in a summer.

Determined to prove him wrong, Olivia accepts what might be the dumbest wager of her life.

His strategy to win seems simple: follow her around, shirtlessly distracting her between bouts of relentless taunting. And it’s effective—if his dark eyes and rare smiles aren’t enough to sidetrack her, the sweaty, rolling topography of the manbeast’s body would do the trick.

What they don’t know: they’ll have to weather more than each other.

Mysterious circumstances throw the farm into disarray, and with the dairy farm in danger, Olivia and Jake have to work together. But when they do, there’s more to fear than either of them imagined.

Because now their hearts are on the line, and the farm won’t be the only casualty if they fail.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Make It Sweet" by Kristen Callihan

Next on today's agenda is the release blitz celebrating "Make It Sweet" by Kristen Callihan. It reads as a standalone, though the main characters from Callihan's 2020 release, "Dear Enemy," appear as supporting characters here.

Slow burn romances are my favorite kind, and "Make It Sweet" featured a great one between former hockey player Lucian Osmond and actress Emma Maron. Emma was the sunshine to Lucian's grump as he slowly came to terms with the end of his playing career and tried to figure out what to do with the rest of his life. Their chemistry was phenomenal and I really enjoyed their flirty, witty banter in addition to the silly nicknames they gave each other (Snoopy and honeybee for Emma, Brick and honey pie for Lucian). Without a doubt, they brought out the best in each other and made it easier to overcome the heartaches of their pasts.

The book's secondary characters were also fantastic and added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. I especially loved Lucian's matchmaking grandmother, Mamie, and her stylist, Sal, as well as Lucian's former teammate, Brommy, and Emma's actress friend, Tate. There seemed to be some sparks between Brommy and Tate near the end of the book; I'd love to see them featured in a story of their own!

Overall, I adored "Make It Sweet" and highly recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. It was the first book I've read by Kristen Callihan, but it definitely won't be the last. (I'm going to need a snack before I explore her backlist. The descriptions of Lucian's pastry creations in this book made me SO HUNGRY!)

 

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

 

 

About "Make It Sweet"

From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Callihan comes a charming, emotional romance about redefining dreams and discovering unlikely love along the way.

Life for Emma isn't good. The world knows her as Princess Anya on Dark Castle, but then her character gets the axe--literally. The cherry on top is finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. She needs a break, and sanctuary comes in the form of Rosemont, a gorgeous estate in California promising rest and relaxation.

Then she meets the owner's equally gorgeous grandson, ex-hockey player and current recluse Lucian Osmond, and she sees her own pain and yearning reflected in his eyes.

He's charming when he wants to be but also secretive and gruff, with protective walls as thick as Emma's own. Despite a growing attraction, they avoid each other.

But then there's an impromptu nighttime skinny-dip, and Lucian's luscious homemade tarts and cream cakes start arriving at Emma's door, tempting her to taste life again...

In trying to stay apart, they only grow closer--and their broken pieces just might fit together and make them whole.

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Wake My Heart" by Lydia Michaels

What a week for new releases! Brace yourselves - I have a LOT of new reviews coming your way over the next few days. Your TBR is about to get longer. :-)

First on the agenda today is the release blitz celebrating the publication of "Wake My Heart" by Lydia Michaels, book #1 of the Jasper Falls series. If you're a fan of "Virgin River" (either the books or the Netflix series), you'll love this small town romance in which widowed Maggie O'Malley gradually overcomes her heartbreak and finds love again with her sweet, caring, handsome new neighbor, Ryan Clooney. 

Two years after the death of Maggie's beloved husband, Nash, she remained mired in grief and depression, having pushed away most of her family and friends to lead a solitary existence in a home still filled with her husband's things and visiting his grave to share coffee with him first thing every morning. Things finally started to change for Maggie when Ryan moved in next door and took an interest in his new neighbor. Approaching 30 and one of the last remaining singletons in a group of happily married cousins and friends, Ryan had started to doubt whether he'd ever find his own true love, but when he met Maggie, he was immediately drawn to her. I loved how incredibly patient he was with Maggie as she slowly opened up to him and to the possibility of being happy again.

The first part of the book was somewhat difficult for me to read because I hated seeing Maggie so unhappy, but after she started to heal and became friends with Ryan, I really enjoyed it. There were even times when I found myself laughing at Maggie and Ryan's banter, such as when they played darts against each other. They were such an adorable couple, and I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA. 

 

Overall, I loved "Wake My Heart" and highly recommend it for all fans of emotional contemporary romance. I look forward to continuing the series.

 

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

 

 

About "Wake My Heart"

When Ryan Clooney moves to the outskirts of his small town, the last thing he expects to find is love. Cursed to always be single, he's burned-out on blind dates and pity "plus-ones". He's through waiting for The One to arrive. But once he meets Maggie, the beautiful, young widow next door, his plans change.

Maggie O'Malley is not looking for love. Since losing her husband, she has withdrawn from small-town life and prefers to be left alone. But her new neighbor doesn't seem to understand personal privacy, and the more he intrudes on her solitary life, the more she remembers how wonderful friendship can be.

Determined to reach Maggie's heart, Ryan has an awakening of his own, and learns what love is all about.

 

Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review: "My One-Week Husband" by Lauren Blakely

Congratulations to Lauren Blakely on her latest release, "My One-Week Husband." It is a standalone novel, but readers familiar with The Extravagant series may recognize the male lead, Daniel Stewart, who played a significant role in "One Exquisite Touch."

"My One-Week Husband" was a super steamy fake relationship romance between friends and business partners Scarlett Slade and Daniel Stewart. Their flirty, teasing banter had me laughing out loud from the very first chapter, and the sparks between them practically flew off the page. I also loved the book's setting in France; Blakely described the locations they visited so well that at times I felt like I was standing right there beside them.

 

Even though they had secretly been attracted to each other for years, both Scarlett and Daniel resisted acting on their feelings for fear of ruining their business relationship, as well as the emotional baggage they each carried. When they decided to pose as newlyweds on a week-long business trip to investigate a chain of hotels they were considering purchasing, it was almost too easy for them to slip into the game of pretend. Daniel and Scarlett agreed to end their affair at the conclusion of the trip, but as they shared more about themselves and their pasts, it became harder for them to imagine walking away. To make a real relationship work, they would each have to let go of the trauma of their pasts, but that proved to be challenging for them both. Both Daniel and Scarlett had been through more than their fair share of heartache, and it was easy for me to root for them to work things out so that they could finally be happy together.  

Overall, while "My One-Week Husband" wasn't my favorite of Blakely's books, I did enjoy it and would recommend it for fans of spicy contemporary romance. I look forward to whatever Blakely writes next.

 

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

 

 

About "My One-Week Husband"

A week-long trip. A fake marriage. And seven delicious nights with only one bed in the hotel room.

He's my business partner, my good friend, and the man I've craved for years.

But I've resisted the sexy Brit, and I plan to keep up my walls because I've been there, done that, and I know how much it hurts when you let someone into your heart.

Then an opportunity comes along for us to snag the business deal of a lifetime.

The catch?

We need to pretend we're married to pull off this high-stakes deal.

So the clever, charming man with secrets a mile deep becomes my temporary husband, as we travel around Europe. Soon, we fall into bed, tangled together like newlyweds who can't keep their hands off each other.

One week to explore our fantasies, then we return to who we were.

But when I learn the dark secrets he's been keeping, I doubt we can go back.

Because they change everything.

My One-Week Husband is a standalone romance! 

 

 

Read an Excerpt from "My One-Week Husband"

“Are you a doctor?” she counters, but she lets me inspect her injury.

“I’m the doctor in the room,” I tease.

I ask where it hurts, and she points to her wrist, frowning. I run a thumb gently along that tender spot, that tantalizing place that can drive a woman wild.

If you touch her just right.

Which it seems I am doing, since Scarlett’s breath hitches.

“Daniel,” she whispers, her voice perhaps betraying her. “I’m fine. I swear I’m fine.”

I tuck my finger under her chin, lift it, and meet her gaze. “Are you sure?”

She nods, her eyes a little glossy. “I swear I am.”

“Let’s be certain.”

I lift her wrist to my face, my eyes on hers. Waiting for a sign. Waiting for more.

“Yes, please.”

So I bring her wrist to my lips and press a kiss to my business partner’s skin.

She lets out a low moan.

A groan works its way up my chest, and I swallow it down as I dust my lips over her pulse point.

I close my eyes, inhaling her, savoring the scent of her skin, of her lotion, of her Scarlett-ness.

I should move away. But she’s right here.

Images of last night’s fantasies flicker before me, along with the moment just now in front of the mirror, and how she looked at the reflection of her and me.

I open my eyes.

She nibbles on the corner of her lips, gazing down a me as I look up at her.

Is she thinking the same thing I am?

One kiss.

One taste.

That’s all.

I tamp down the groan in my throat as I breathe in.

Then, I take the next step.

I stand, gently take her uninjured hand, and carefully tug her up.

I reach toward her hair, tucking an errant strand behind her ear, testing to see if she’ll make that sound again.

That gasp. That hitch of her breath.

She does. It’s sensual and erotic, and it goes straight to my cock.

I do the one thing I’ve thought about doing for the last few years. The thing I’ve prided myself on resisting. I move closer, lean in, and press a kiss to her cheek.

It’s the same type of kiss I’ve given her every time we greet each other. But this time, I linger. I don’t back away. I simply brush my lips across her cheek and whisper, “All better now?”

 

Release Blitz + Review: "Second Chance Sweetheart" by Charity Ferrell

I'm pleased to take part in the release/review blitz celebrating "Second Chance Sweetheart" by Charity Ferrell, which is part of the multi-author Sweetheart, Colorado series of standalone novellas.

 

"Second Chance Sweetheart" was a charming novella that featured a super cute, slightly steamy second chance romance between former high school sweethearts Nora Maxwell and Carson Hale. Carson and Nora never stopped loving each other, but the stress of a long-distance relationship proved to be too much for them when Carson moved to Chicago to become a doctor while Nora stayed behind to take over her family's bed and breakfast. Years later, Carson returned to his hometown for a family wedding, determined to make things right with the only woman he'd ever loved. Nora had no intention of welcoming him back with open arms, however, and she made sure he knew it!

Overall, I enjoyed this story and would recommend it for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I look forward to picking up a few of the other novellas in this series as well as exploring more of Charity Ferrell's work in the future. 

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

 

About "Second Chance Sweetheart"

They say only two percent of high school sweethearts stay together.
We thought we were that two percent.
Too bad we were wrong.

Two high school sweethearts.
One heart-shattering breakup.
Now, years later, he’s returned to their small town of Sweetheart, Colorado.
Will it end in more heartbreak, or will they get their second chance at love?

This is a short 15K novella about second chance love with a happily ever after.