The last two weeks were a little hectic. In between working my paying job, I drove solo to attend Wild & Windy West in Glendale, AZ,and with the hubby to Denver for a medical procedure. The signing was amazing. The ladies of Wild & Windy know how to run a crowd. New locations always offer challenges and undoubtedly highlight areas to improve the next time around. For me? I had a blast. Connecting with other readers and the talented authors present was a balm to my soul and a landslide of books added to my TBR.
With that much driving in one week, I was able to listen to three audiobooks by new-to-me author Kristen Proby (whom I met in Glendale). I loved the story telling and creativity of the plot. It kept me alert while driving and I am forever grateful for that.
I also read three arcs, a book by another WWW author, Jennifer Hartmann that has been on my TBR forever, and a novella. Older was so beautifully written, I think it has made a mark permanently on my soul. The arcs were fantastic! Two hockey romances from two of my favorite authors kept me smiling and sweating. Audacity, by Elodie Hart melted me completely. Good grief! Hot, emotional, filthy- and now I just want to read it again.
Check out my reviews below and add some books to your TBR today. Until next time, happy reading!
Audacity (Seraph #1) by Elodie Hart
ARC: Release Date- 02/13/2025
#AgeGap #Billionaire #CinnamonrollHero #Escort #Workplace
#ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
spicy spin off series from the Alchemy series is HOT. IT can be read as a
standalone and ends with a HEA.
Readers who read the Alchemy series met Athena in Anton
& Gen’s book. Working with the Seraph agency, she provides full service
executive assistance to high powered billionaires. I was intrigued with her
when I met her before, and I fell madly in love with her in this book. She is
fiery, aggressive, stunningly intelligent, and savvy. I loved her sense of
style, that she was well spoken and controlled in her daily interactions, and
yet fully in the moment with Gabe. I really adored that she could se him for the
amazingly good man he is and see his struggles and help him overcome them.
Gabe…whew! This man is so good and so dirty at the same
time. I adored that he had a sense of morality while understanding his own humanity.
I loved how he was with Athena and that he appreciated her for her mind and
soul as much as her body. His reverence and appreciation of her was
intoxicating. I loved the heat between them. The spicy scenes will stick in my
mind for a very long time. I also really appreciated his character growth in
the book, in part because of the nourishment of that by Athena and his friends.
Strong, well-developed characters who choose their own paths in a mindful and intelligent way, even in the face of public judgement, made this book intoxicating. I loved the smart writing and that the author brings her knowledge of finance and fashion into the story in a believable way. I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like except I didn’t want to leave these characters and their world for reality. But alas, I am marooned in the real world until the next book arrives.
Mr. Swoony (The Nest #3) by Piper Rayne
ARC: Release Date- 02/25/2025
#RunawayBride #ForcedProximity #Sports #ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Conor redeems himself with his book. In book one of this
series, his reaction to his sister falling for his teammate was less than
ideal. In his book, readers get to see how protective he is of his sister and
the people he cares about in his life. It makes more sense now. He falls hard
and fast for Eloise. Despite his fix-it nature, he allows her to blossom in her
own time. Though she is engaged when they first meet, and their chemistry is
strong, I loved that they did not cross physical lines while she was still
attached to the D bag. Eloise is a likable character that is a people pleaser
to the extreme. I love it when she comes into her own and demands her own
happiness regardless of the expectations of others.
There is a stop-the-wedding moment, a getaway, found family,
and the formation of a true friendship before Conor and Eloise become more.
When they do, they certainly have heat between them. But it is overwhelmed by
their emotional intimacy. I love the concept of lists that Eloise realizes are
important to her. They are indicative of milestones and things that are
important to her. I appreciated Conor’s
all-out enthusiasm in helping Eloise check items off the lists.
The camping trip was quite funny, the steam just right, and the swoony romance on the mark. This was a very enjoyable read that I didn’t want to put down.
Game Misconduct (Nashville Knights Hockey #1)
by Emily
Silver
ARC: Release Date- 02/26/2025
#SecondChance #SingleDad #Sports #ARC
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Marcus is a good guy. He is responsible and an amazing dad
to 8-year-old twins Sam & Sadie. His only regret was walking away from the
love of his life when his world imploded seven years ago. As an NHL hockey
player, his world revolves around his career and his family. Harper is a second-grade teacher. She has
built a life despite her anger and confusion of her marriage’s abrupt ending. I loved her resilience and that she holds
Marcus accountable when they run into each other again.
These two were always meant to be the one for each other. I was more than a little angry with Marcus for walking away. At the same time, I understood that 22-year old men don’t always make good decisions. I was happy that they had a history together, a connection, and physical chemistry. I loved the relationship Harper builds with the girls. A second chance was possible because they never truly stopped loving each other. They have a small wobble but not what I would consider a third act breakup. I felt like they had already been apart far too long, so I was happy to see them united and determined to move into a future together over obstacles. This was a single sitting read for me that I flew right through. What a great start to a new series!
Older by Jennifer Hartmann
#AgeGap #BestFriendsDad #Forbidden #HealingLove #SecretRomance
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
is a standalone that ends with a HEA. There is also one pivotal chapter written
from Tara’s POV (Reed’s daughter).
“Are you lost?”
“Are you here
to save me?”
Halley is 17 when she meets Reed (34) for the first time.
She lies about her age, and they share an immediate and emotional connection
that doesn’t get very far before her age is revealed and it falls apart. I loved that they connected outside of her
trauma and his reality to begin with. It felt pure.
Halley has been so abused in her home life. I felt her pain
and her desire to escape into the beauty of moments she calls blips. I
understood her deeply. I love that Reed sees her as a woman with pain and not a
child. (As 17 is the age of consent in Illinois, even if they had gone farther,
it would not have been illegal.) Their connection felt magical to me. I
appreciated that they continued to run into each other until they discovered
the shared connection of Reed’s daughter, Tara.
I adored the friendship that Halley and Tara share. I loved
that Halley could depend on Tara and act like a teenager for the first time in
her life. I felt for Reed. He is just trying to be the best dad while being
magnetically drawn to Halley. I love that they mostly avoid their relationship
becoming more (aside from forming a deep friendship) for so long. The yearning
was palpable though. I loved how Reed gave Halley room to grow and the tools to
become stronger and more capable while attempting to stay away. I loved the heat and abandon between them when
they could no longer resist. I knew the crash was coming. They did too. That
made it no less devastating than the painful mess it was.
This book begins in 1995. Set primarily in the 90’s, it
draws on music and pop culture to give depth and dimension to the story. Music
plays such a huge role in Halley and Reed’s relationship. I highly recommend
the playlist along with the book. Wowzah. Over the span of 10 years, readers
see how the relationship between these two deeply connected characters evolves
and becomes a HEA worth fighting for.
I loved the full circle story telling of this couple. I
loved their emotional link. I loved how they felt like their forever was out of
reach, but then they (eventually) fought for it anyway. I have to shout out to
Reed’s ex, Whitney. She was an amazing woman, a good mother, and provided
exactly the unconditional love Halley needed in her life. After so much abuse
and rejection, she was a sanctuary. I adored her.
This was my first book by this author though she has been on
my TBR for literally years. I have zero doubts this will be one of my top reads
of 2025. It touched me in a profound way. I loved the characters, their story,
and the poetic writing which told it. This is the best book I have ever read
about a best friend’s dad situation. I could see me rereading it again and
gaining even more from it. I am thrilled that I now own a paperback copy of
what I am sure will be a favorite book of all time.
Claimed by the Bikers (Feral Rebels MC #1)
by Nikki Landis
#AgeGap #WhyChoose #MC #Novella
Written in first person from multiple POV, this darker
novella ends with a HEA.
Molly is 17 and still in high school when she ends up with
human traffickers. Rescued by her best friend’s cousin, Slash, and his biker
buddies Havoc and Gunner, they go on the run. Havoc (20’s), Slash (30), and
Gunner (late 30’s) all fall fast and hard for the young woman.
This was a quick read which ties into another series by this
author, which I have not read. I found the novella lacked much in the way of
character development. The heroine finds herself as a damsel to be saved twice
in this story. There were a couple of steamy scenes. I felt like it could have
been more but just didn’t quite get there.
Readers please note: the author lists content warnings which should be heeded.
Hallows End (Curse of the Blood Moon #1)
#Paranormal #FatedMates #Instalove #Audiobook
Book one of the
series introduces the larger plot and tells the story of Jonas and Lucy on
their way to love. They fall in love
quite fast when Jonas appears from the hidden village of Hallows End which is
stuck in 1692. Lucy was such a fun character who was sure of herself. I loved
her resilience and her fiery spirit. Jonas is steadfast. He is a good guy who
really only wants the best all around.
Cauldrons Call (Curse of the Blood Moon #2)
by Kristen Proby
#Paranormal #FatedMates #NerdyHero #FriendsToLovers #Audiobook
Book two brings Giles and Breena together. After the danger in book one, Breena turns to friends and family as they attempt to defeat evil and undo the curse. Breena is a sweet heroine with a heart of gold. Giles is a little nerdy and oblivious to begin with. Once his eyes are opened, he is all in on the commitment and protection of the one woman meant for him. I appreciated his ties to historical Salem. I loved how he is protective of Breena. I adored their friendship. The crystals were interesting to read about in this one too.
Salems Song (Curse of the Blood Moon #3)
by Kristen Proby
#Paranormal #FatedMates #SecondChance #Audiobook
Book three is the second chance story of Loralei and Xander. I have been looking forward to their story and the author provides one with unexpected depth. Sensitive readers should be aware that there is a discussion of a miscarriage in the past and avoid that trigger if needed. I loved getting to know these characters. Xander proved his mettle as a hero worth loving. Loralei is feisty, but in the end, they are much more powerful together. The series comes to an end with a fantastic defeat of evil and the breaking of the curse in a wonderful way.
I finished the second half of the book reading in KU.
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