Happy weekend and Happy 2025! I am starting the year strong. I have read 3 ARCs, 1 full-length novel, and 3 more novellas so far this year. The 3 ARCs were all fun reads, the next book in the Boston Billionaire Bachelors series was a fun ride, and the three monster novellas were still an enjoyable escape from reality.
I am traveling unexpectedly this month after my dad was hospitalized. I will spend the next week in West Virginia helping my brother and helping my dad get some strength back before I return home. I am hopeful that means some dedicated reading time while I am here since there is no shortage of snow. Until next week, happy reading.
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The Proposal Play (Love and Hockey #3)
by Lauren Blakely
ARC: Release Date-01/08/2025
#FriendsToLovers #BrothersBestFriend #MoC #Sports #ARC
Written in first person from an alternating POV, this can be
read as a standalone and ends with a HEA. Th characters do play important secondary
roles in this book so some readers may want to read the series in publication order
to avoid spoilers.
Asher is a good guy. He is a good friend and teammate. He
loves his dads and has a good relationship with them. He is a fun guy who knows
how to work a crowd. He has no idea that his friendship feelings for Maeve are bigger
than friendship until they are in the thick of it. Maeve is artistic, creative,
and fun in an impulsive way. She is also working hard chasing her dream of
making a living as an artist. Her friendship with Asher is her constant and she
has no idea that she feels more for him than friendship.
After a night in Vegas, and a wedding “for fun” they end up
deciding to stay married for ….reasons. Time proves to both of them that they
have more than friendship, and more than lustful attraction, between them. I
loved their friendship. I loved the spicy scenes as they find a normal
together. I loved that Maeve’s brother, Beckett, is a cool guy when it comes to
their relationship. I loved her girl group and their support. I adored that
Asher also has his support with his dads and his teammates.
At over 60 chapters long, this is not a quick read. The
author uses that time to build on Maeve and Asher’s friendship, to develop
their physical intimacy, and to cover some serious character growth. Maeve
develops confidence in herself and her artistic ability. She also defines her
dream in a way that makes her happier. Asher has some growth in how he
communicates his feelings and how he deals with his response to worry and
anxiety. I loved that the author has
some mental health representation in this book and that it is handled in a
healthy and productive way. I love that their story also addresses grief and
the long-term effects on a person.
I enjoyed this a lot, and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
The Ex-Affair (Wolfe Brothers #2)
by Marika Ray
ARC: Release Date- 01/09/2025
#FamilySeries #Firefighter #SecondChance #SmallTown #ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Colson and Tully were high school sweethearts. Married right out of high school, when they
were 23 Tully filed for divorce and left to pursue her Hollywood dreams. Now at
42, she is back in town after her world came crashing down. Colson is also back
in Blueball after promising his dad on is death bed that he would return to
help look after his mom.
Colson is a hottie who has only ever given his heart to
Tully. He has never recovered from the heartbreak of her leaving him. He
thought he was past it, but when he sees Tully again the hurt and anger comes
roaring back. I felt bad for Colson. Tully has always been his everything. What
starts as a “fling” is really more for both of them. I loved their steamy times. I loved their mature approach to taking a
second chance. I adored that they
recognized that they had things to work through to get to forever. I came to
like Tully. At first, I wasn’t sure if I
would, but the author does an excellent job of presenting her POV. Colson also
admitted his faults. His forgiveness and partial responsibility made it easier
to accept that she left.
It was wonderful to be back in Blueball with the Wolfe family. I can’t wait for Boon to fall next.
Billionaire Devil (New York Billionaires #3)
by Julie
Capulet
ARC: Release Date- 01/14/2025
#Billionaire #ForcedProximity #InstaLove #RoadTrip #Virgin
#ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as standalone and ends with a HEA.
Colton (26) is the youngest Maddox brother. Lila (23ish) is
a struggling fashion designer working 2 other jobs. When Colton meets Lila, he
falls immediately though he does not realize that is what happened at first.
Lila, on the other hand, has been warned about the charming billionaire and his
playboy ways. When Colton decides to take the road trip with Lila to her
friend’s wedding from NY to LA, he is a force who convinces her to take the
trip in style with him.
I loved how he doted on her and pushed her to overcome her
fears along the way. I appreciate that Lilah finds herself on the trip and
gains confidence in her femininity. They are fire together with lots of steamy
moments as they go through the “lessons” Colton promised Lila in his pitch.
If you like an instalove, billionaire, alpha hero who loves to carry his girl around, calls her multiples pet names, and makes her see stars then you will love Colson and Lila’s story.
Doctor Mistake (Boston’s Billionaire Bachelors #2)
by J.
Saman
#BestFriendsBrother #Billionaire #ForcedProximity
#SurprisePregnancy #Workplace
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Carter is a billionaire playboy, but when it comes to Grace,
he is a sap. He has been mooning over for her for more than a year, but she was
already taken. When Grace’s engagement implodes in a spectacular fashion and
she turns up on his doorstep, he wastes no time and makes a point of being
there for her. Grace is in her third year of OB-GYN residency when her life
seems to flip upside down. I loved that she and Carter have an adversarial
relationship inside the hospital and a friendly relationship at home. I love
that they have a history with each other, even though becoming roommates forces
that to become a true friendship. I loved that they have to navigate the power
dynamics of their relationship, though I wish Carter had been a little more
open with what he could have shared and avoided some heartache for Grace.
It is obvious that the author has spent some time working in the hospital. After being in healthcare for more than 20 years, I would say she nailed the gossip, drama, and competition that exists inside. She really captured the nature of the relationships that can form between the people who work there. I also really appreciated the gentle and accurate take on Grace’s epilepsy. This was a medical romance that I stayed up way too late to finish because I couldn’t put it down. I don’t read a lot of medical drama because inaccuracies annoy me. I am loving this series because I don’t see that at all.
Wed to the Dragon (Arranged Monster Mates #5)
by Cara Wylde
#Arranged Marriage #FatedMates #Paranormal #Shifter #Virgin #Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Aryan is a prince in his kingdom where riches abound. He or
his brother will become the next king. Aryan is a romantic and wants a fated
mate, not just a noble dragon shifter bride. The temple may be his answer. He
places a higher value on having a fated mate than ruling the kingdom when his
father seps down.
Ruby is a feisty and fearless woman who is doing whatever it
takes to feed her family and her neighborhood in an impoverished human city.
When she crosses the law in a way that puts her family in danger, she knows her
only option is the temple.
I loved their instant connection. I adored Ruby and her
willingness to tackle a challenge choosing bravery over fear. I loved her kind
heart. I really enjoyed the plot line of the Dragonbonded Trials and the battle
for the kingdom. I couldn’t put this down. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Wed to the Orc (Arranged Monster Mates #6)
by Layla Faye
#ArrangedMarriage #FatedMates #GrumpySunshine #Monster #Virgin #Fantasy #Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Lundark is a hot orc nerd. He is a research scientist who is wealthy and more than a little cranky. Ina is a human with a bright and sunny personality. I adored how hard she tried to be a good wife to Lundark. I appreciated the way she communicated with him and the way she would sometimes stand her ground. I loved her fiery personality. She is perfect for Lundark. He never realized how much he needed someone in his life just like her. This was a steamy novella with a monster size difference and fun banter.
Wed to the Lionman (Arranged Monster Mates #7)
by Cara Wylde
#ArrangedMarriage #Paranormal #Shifter #FatedMates #Virgin #Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HFN.
Caelum is a lion shifter who lost who he thought had been
his fated mate when she betrayed him. He is lonely when he goes to the Marriage
Temple in search of the possibility of his true fated mate. Jade is the human
girl with no family. When her only option becomes the temple, Caelum is
thrilled to see his new bride.
A couple of steamy scenes, some danger from Caelum’s ex, and
these two settle into what can be a loving HEA. This was a quick read. The
ending felt sudden, but I enjoyed it.
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