Book reviews from September 1st through 17th

 

I am back from vacation.  I had a fantastic two week tour of Ireland and Northern Ireland with my youngest daughter.  A while back, she decided she wanted to celebrate her 25th birthday in Ireland.  When she started looking at trips and asked me to join her, I was all in.  It was a wonderful thing to share the special memories of this trip with her.

Because I was busy sight-seeing and traveling, I took actual time off from my blog for the first time in two years.  I read on our long flights and a little here and there, but nowhere near the amount I normally read.  Actually, when we got on the plane, I started and stopped three books that just would not click. (I was pretty excited about our trip. LOL)  I was caught up on ARCs for a hot minute.  I kept looking at my TBR and I remembered that I had the first two books of Emily Silver's new series waiting on my kindle.  I was so excited to get sucked into book one with Jackson and Tenley.  I couldn't resist getting right into book two.  Right as we started home, I received my next ARC, so I eagerly started Lena Hendrix's book which releases later this week.

Both of these authors are on the newer side of indie publishing and if you haven't tried them yet, you should.  Wonderful characters, strong writing, and plenty of steam are guaranteed with both of them.

As I get back into the swing of things, I am working on the next three ARCs that have arrived in the last couple of days.  Meanwhile, I wish all of you a wonderful week of reading.

Roughing the Kicker (Denver Mountain Lions #1) 

by Emily Silver

#Sports #FriendsToLovers

5 STARS

Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this book sets up a new series by this author. Book one follows Jackson, a pro football kicker, and his best friend, Tenley as they find their HEA.

I love a good friends to lovers story and this one had everything I loved. Jackson and Tenley's friendship has been solid for most of their lives. The history they share, and they way they know each other makes their evolution to more so very special. There is plenty of heat and some heart-warming moments on the way to their HEA. I adored Tenley and her sweet personality. I really enjoyed how she was able to integrate the mountain lions into her kindergarten classroom. The kids cracked me up.

This new world of the Denver Mountain Lions hooked me. I enjoyed the paternal attitude of the coach. I loved the banter between the players. I also really liked how we get to see the stress Jackson goes through as a professional athlete when he thinks he might lose football due to injury.

This quick read was exactly what I needed. I jumped right into the second book of the series.

Pass Interference (Denver Mountain Lions #2) 

by Emily Silver

#Sports #SecondChance #EnemiesToLovers #Forbidden

5 STARS

Book two in the series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

When Colin and Peyton meet five years after their relationship ended, sparks and sass are flying. Colin has to listen to her ideas, or he might be off the team of his dreams. He struggles with a dysfunctional relationship with his father and has been living in a very selfish manner since he came to the NFL. To say he was a playboy, would be an understatement. He needs to turn his life around and Peyton needs the job to achieve her dreams.

I adored Peyton. She was energetic and tough while remaining kind. I loved her ideas for Colin's image rehab and how she worked other teammates into the picture as well. I really enjoyed that they did not fight for very long before they find a new normal as friends based on their shared history. When they give into their attraction to each other, they both know that it could risk everything for both of them.

There is a lot of heat in this one. I love how well they know each other and can deliver what they each need. I loved it when they communicate and answer the questions they have each had about why they fell apart the first time. The team banter was on point and I found this to be an easy and entertaining read.

The Rebel (Redemption Ranch #3) by Lena Hendrix

ARC: Release Date- 09/23/2022

#Celebrity #Cowboy #SmallTown #ForcedProximity #ARC

5 STARS

"I see you and I love you."

Book three in the series can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Josh grew up on the ranch as the son is a U.S. Marshal.  After time in the Army, he returned to ranch and made a home there.  When Effie makes her way back into his life, she turns it upside down and steals his heart.  Effie is a top actress who ends up with some social media drama.  She makes her way to Redemption Ranch to lay low and to search for answers to questions she has had her whole life.

There are immediate sparks between Josh and Effie.  I love their chemistry.  I love their friendship.  Josh is a big marshmallow with a hot alpha wolf underneath.  They bring a lot of heat to the page as their relationship progresses.  Seriously, HOT. They are both used to giving the people around them what they need to their own detriment.  I really enjoyed that they each have a journey of self-discovery, and that they both need to complete that journey to have a forever HEA. I don’t want to give away spoilers.  There are my subplots in the story that unfold as they each learn who they are and who they need to be.  I want to say that this author keeps getting better.  This was an easy read with a couple who share a deep emotional connection and a whole lot of passion.