To say this was an incredible week of reading would be a massive understatement. I read five ARCs and a bonus content novella to the Hockey Hotties series by Piper Rayne. Speaking of Hockey Hotties: Warner and Imogen have a sweet and hot second chance tat forever in "Sneaking Around with #34." Claire Kingsley released the sixth and final book in her Bailey Brothers series. It was everything I could have wanted in a book and more. I am so happy for her that it has been a wonderful release after the last year for her has been harder than I can imagine. That she delivered a book full of hope, peace, and love after a year of grief and tragedy amazed me, made me cry, and leaves her talent unquestionable. Lena Hendrix has a new release which also begins a new series set on Redemption Ranch. I loved the story of the cop and the criminal and the premise of a ranch run by agents for WITSEC. The Prequel ARC to Tawna Fenske's new Assassins in Love series introduced me to the three heroes and made me excited to get their stories. Finally, I lost sleep reading Annie Dyer's ARC of the next book in the Manchester Athletics series. A geeky professional athlete and an "it girl" actress made an engaging story that I couldn't put down. Readers cannot go wrong with any of these books and I hope you add them to your kindle and TBR today. Have a great week, and happy reading!
Tropical Hat Trick (Hockey Hotties #3.5) by Piper Rayne
#SportsRomance #Fling
4 STARS
Written in first person from multiple POV, this novella follows the hockey hotties to a tropical resort for Ford and Lena's wedding. Shenanigans ensue, hook-ups occur and storylines are set up for books 4-6. I loved getting to know the upcoming characters a little through this trip. I also really loved seeing our happy couples from other books be happy together. A gorgeous setting, fun banter, and a little heat are all found in this novella.
#SportsRomance #SecondChance #ARC
5 STARS
Warner and Imogen get a second chance in book #4 of the
series. It can be read as a standalone
and ends with a HEA. It is written in
first person from an alternating dual POV.
Warner and Imogen have a history that readers discover as
the book progresses. They were high
school sweethearts until events pulled them apart, leaving hurt and anger in
their wake. Warner, recently traded to
the Florida Fury, reconnects with Imogen and her brother, Ford, who was his
best friend in high school. In the
present, Ford hates Warner because of what happened. The author does a good job helping the reader
understand the hurt and anger that Ford and Imogen feel toward Warner. I also felt like I had a good understanding
of Warner, why he made the decisions he did at the time, and how youth impacted
all of them to create a situation that didn’t have to be the way it was.
I really appreciated the tender moments between Warner and Imogen after they clear the air. They have undeniable heat and plenty of steamy moments between them. Even during the steamy moments though, I could feel their emotional connection. When Warner finally clears the air with Ford, and all the truths are revealed, it is a beautiful thing. I love how it allows the characters to move forward toward healing the hurts of the past. This book moved me. I don’t tear up easily, but I did have a couple of tears along the way in their story. These two were meant to be despite the many obstacles and years of separation they faced. I think this is my favorite book of the series so far and I definitely recommend it.
#FriendsToLovers #SmallTown #FamilySeries #Firefighter
#FirstResponder #ARC
5 STARS is not nearly enough.
This is book six in the Bailey Brothers series. Though Levi
and Annika’s story is a standalone that ends with a HEA, there is an underlying
mystery and suspense plotline that runs throughout the series. Readers will get
the most enjoyment from this series by reading all the books in order. This book
is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.
Wow! I have waited overnight to write this review because I
was blown away. I am full of so many emotions after reading this book. The
ending left me full of joy and hope for the future not just for our characters
but also for all of us. The world around us has been filled with so many
negative events and emotions over the last couple of years. It has impacted
everyone in some way. This author managed to pour all the feelings from her
life into this book. There are laughs, lots of heat and steamy moments, mystery,
and danger. There are also moments of fear, frustration, grief, and sadness.
The book includes Easter eggs and cameos from the author’s other books that I
found incredibly enjoyable.
Levi is undoubtedly my favorite Bailey brother. He is
thoughtful, caring, intelligent, and so much more. His friendship with Annika
and they way they support each other is really special. The relationship and
love he has with her son, Thomas, melted my heart. Annika is fierce when
confronting her brothers, protective of her son and her relationship with Levi,
and brave in the face of terrifying circumstances. Their determination to fight
for their relationship in spite of feud rules was inspiring. I loved how the author pulled so many plot
elements together for a satisfying ending that explained the origins of the feud
and why certain events unfolded the way they did in the previous books. I loved
getting to know the Haven brothers a bit in this book. I am very excited for
the time when we get to return to Tilikum for their HEAs.
This book was really everything for me. It is not very often that I finish a book and immediately want to reread it, but I did with this one. I savored this book, reading much slower than I normally do. I didn’t want it to end, yet I wanted to know all the things that the ending reveals. I have no doubt that I will be rereading this series very soon. Readers who love a bit of mystery and danger, a lot of heat, some laughs, and characters who will live forever in your heart: this is your series.
#FirstResponder #RomanticSuspense #SmallTown #Forbidden #ARC
5 STARS
This is the first book in a new series, it can be read as a
standalone, and it ends with a HEA. It
is written in first person from an alternating dual POV. I have read other
books by this author, and I was pleased to read this book, which is a little
different from her other series and has more characters and elements of
suspense and intrigue as a big part of the story.
Val is brave and strong with incredible instincts. I adored her character. Even when she is struggling, she is still
fierce. I love that she is tough yet still feminine. Evan has had a rocky life. He is a big guy with lots of muscles and a
soul that seeks love. I love his protectiveness toward Val, even though she
doesn’t really need it. I adore how hard
he falls for her. He and Val share
incredible heat and many steamy scenes as they get to know each other. Their relationship is complicated and when
all seems lost, he makes the perfect grand gesture for him to make.
The author does a really good job creating Redemption ranch
and the characters that will be the foundation of this new series. I felt like I really got to know them. There is plenty of heat, some suspense, and
a little bit of danger along the way. I
liked the pace of the story and the way the characters were developed. I am very much looking forward to more books
in this series.
#Prequel #ActionAndAdventure #ARC
5 STARS
This quick prequel to the new series Assassins in Love
introduces readers to the three male assassins who will find love over the
course of the series while the take their “last” job. As one might suspect, things do not go as
planned. I enjoyed getting to know each of the guys a little bit. Dante is the big bald guy with a massive
weapon…uh…collection. Matteo is the
computer nerd trying to not get caught while maintaining relationships with his
sisters and grandmother. Sebastian is
the charmer who loves to flirt. He is a
dentist with who has a way with people and a bit of ADHD. I felt like I got a good feel for what was important
to each of them and their personalities.
There is some intrigue and action as well as possible indicators of the
identity of future heroines. The mark of a good prequel to me is if it makes me
want to read more of the series and if it makes me invested in the
characters. This prequel accomplishes that,
and I am excited for this series.
#Sports #Celebrity #Fling #ARC
5 STARS
This is the second book in the Manchester Athletics
series. It can be read as a standalone
and ends with a HEA. The timeline is
concurrent, in part, with book one but neither book gives anything away. Hollywood Ball is written in first person
from an alternating dual POV.
I was intrigued by Ryan in book one, but I fell hard for him
in this book. Gah!!! I love a geeky hero. One who is also a professional athlete, has
integrity, and exacting standards? Yes! Sign me up for that. I really love how well he manages whatever
comes his way. His quiet confidence and commitment
to the image he wants portrayed to the world was inspiring. I love his sense of adventure and the fun he has
with Otter. Otter is sexy and confident
in herself as well. Together they are a
perfect match. The bedroom times are hot
and fun. Their meet cute and the way
their relationship begins is original, cute, and fun. As their relationship
becomes more than a fling, I really enjoyed the friendship they form and the
safety and trust they feel with each other. Their emotional connection together
becomes a beautiful thing. Their relationship is complicated by their celebrity,
and they have hurdles and distance to overcome.
I appreciated that the book takes place over many months and that their
love story was not instant. They needed
to be slow and steady.
I enjoyed the insight into Otter’s job. I loved her practical acceptance of filming
sometimes uncomfortable scenes. I also
loved that they both understood the ambiguity of stories in the media and
generally avoided what was written about each other. I loved that they rely on each other for
truth; trusting each other more than strangers for what was real. I started this book at the end of a night
shift. I continued reading after I got
home (forgoing sleep since I couldn’t put it down) until my eyes refused to
stay open any longer. I enjoyed this
book immensely. There is humor, steamy
heat, characters I loved completely, and a story that felt like it could be
real. I loved Rowan and Dee, but Ryan
and Otter are truly special to read.
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