Book reviews from the week of May 1st

 

Happy weekend!  I read one ARC and two books from my TBR this week.  I also listened to an audiobook of my first book by Brittney Sahin.  There was a little bit of everything and it made for a varied week of reading that was completely enjoyable and filling for my soul.  All of these books are available now and I hope you find something to add to your TBR from these wonderful reads.

Limited Edition Husband (Winner Takes All b#4) 

by L. Blakeley

ARC: Release Date- 05/03/2023

#MM #AccidentalMarriage #Sports #FakeRelationship #ARC

5 STARS

Book four 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.

Nate is the star wide receiver for the San Francisco Hawks.  He has recently survived a brutal divorce and is ready to get back on the horse, so to speak, by hooking up.  His nervousness as he decided to go for it was fun and realistic.  Hunter is an associate producer for Webflix who had the recent realization that he is bisexual.  He is excited to explore that and is looking for someone to have some of the firsts he dreams about.  I loved his enthusiasm and how suave he is despite his youth and his nerves.  I really loved how he wasn’t intimidated by Nate’s stardom.

I adored the chemistry and banter between the two men.  They have steamy and emotional times together.  They can’t stop thinking of each other after their hot afternoon together and both jump at the chance to have a repeat.  Their time in Las Vegas together has both sweet and funny moments. The morning after was hilarious. I love the relationship they build together in a relatively short amount of time.  I loved how vulnerable they are with each other sharing their past hurts and future anxieties.

This author always writes swoony MM romance, and this is no exception.  I fell hard for both Nate and Hunter and I was beyond happy with their HEA.

The Nanny and the Nerd (Nanny Love Match #1) 

by Krista Sandor

#Nanny #OppositesAttract #Billionaire #SingleDad #NerdyHero

4.5 STARS

This is book one of the series.  It can be read  as a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in third person from a dual POV.

Penny is a struggling writer.  She is struggling with writer's block, making her rent, and keeping a job.  She is a glass-half-full kind of woman and at times she is a little scattered. I loved her creativity and perseverance.  Most of all I loved her kind heart.  The relationship she builds with Phoebe is special and loving.  Rowen has taken over guardianship of his six-year-old niece.  There is trauma and grief in his past and he has the baggage to prove it.  He also has a sensory disorder which he deals with by utilizing control to calm the chaos. At times he closes himself off and kind of becomes robotic in an effort to cope. His niece, Phoebe, is a delight.  She is spunky and fun despite what life has thrown her way.

There were a lot of funny moments in this book.  I found myself giggling a lot.  Rowen and Penny share some sizzling chemistry and have some physical scenes that are hot.  There are several hilarious moments brought about by one or both characters' awkwardness. I love that Penny sees Rowen and the man he is under the façade. There are some over the top plot elements.  Some parts of the story might even be a stretch far-fetched.  However, I read to escape reality and that does not bother me.  Part of the fairy tale is that the implausible is real.  Personally, I had a hard time putting the book down.  I really enjoyed the premise of the series and the writer's style.  I am super excited to read more of this series.

Finding His Mark (Stealth Ops #1) by Britney Sahin

Narrated by Jeffrey Kafer and Heather Costa

#Military #ForcedProximity#RomanticSuspense #Audiobook

4 STARS

This is book one of the Stealth Ops series.  It can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.  It is written in third person from an alternating dual POV.  This author has been on my list for a while now, and I was excited to start this series on audiobook.

I started this audiobook on a road trip with my husband.   We found it entertaining. We laughed and rolled our eyes at times, but it was a fun story.  The narration was good and helped me visualize the story.  Luke is an off the books operative on a serious mission when Eva comes crashing into it and puts everything in jeopardy. Eva is smart and brave if a little bumbling.  Luke is reserved, tough, and hotter than Hades.  It doesn't take very long when they are forced to spend time together for chemistry to kick in and the bedroom to get hot.  I liked the two of them together and I liked the team.  I did feel like there were some far-fetched points in the story and that it wrapped up a little too quickly and easily.  Overall, I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to reading and listening to more.

Accidentally Compromising the Duke 

(Wedded by Scandal #1) by Stacy Reid

#Historical #SingleDad #OppositesAttract

5 STARS

This is book one of the series and my first book by this author who has been recommended to me by book friends. It is written in third person from a dual POV and ends with a HEA.

Adeline is determined not to be married off to the scoundrel Lord Vale. She concocts a plan to force her father to agree to allowing marriage to the untitled man who has offered for her hand. Her plan goes awry and she ends up not in Mr. Atwood's room, but in the bed of the Duke of Wolverton. That changes everything for what is ultimately the better. Edmond had made the decision to seek a wife for his two daughters after the loss of his wife. He was deep into negotiations for a lady when Adeline literally falls for him.

I enjoyed Adeline, her sass, and the way she walked the line between proper and not. I really liked the way she was with Edmond's daughters and I appreciated that she was uniquely qualified to be there for them. I loved how open she was to Edmond and being the best wife and duchess she could be to him. Edmond has a lot of baggage and must overcome his fears to move forward with Adel. His process is not easy. At times he is abrupt and even a little mean. Reading as the man who is determined not to fall but falls anyway is always fun. Edmond was no exception. There is a ton of chemistry and passion between Adel and Edmond. I liked their steamy moments. Their dark moment was heart breaking while Adel's strength was admirable despite it. I really loved it when Edmond finally gets his act together. The HEA also sets up the next book perfectly.

My friends have gone down the rabbit hole with this author and consumed her back list. I know why they did now, and I am going to really have to be disciplined to read the ARCs in my inbox first before I do the same.