September is going by quickly. So far this month I have read one ARC, three other books from my TBR, and four novellas. (I scored a bunch of steamy novellas on a free insta-love romance day. I am enjoying reading those in the evening instead of starting a new book that will keep me up too late.) I also DNF'd my first book in a while. Amazingly, all nine books were by new-to-me authors! What an incredible start to a month, right?
Funny story about the ARC: I have met J.R. Gray on several occasions at book signings and he has been on my list to read for a while. Because I like him as a person and his books sounded so good, I have signed up to promote many of his books as they release, knowing I would eventually get to read them too. The PR company he is using for this upcoming release emailed me that I could have an ARC (that I didn't sign up for) and after looking at my calendar, I realized I had time to read it! I have to say that happened to be the best decision I made all week. It may have been my first read of his books but I assure you that I am desperate to read more.
I also finally read Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas. You know, the book EVERYONE recommends for taboo age gap romance? It really was all that. I loved it. Those characters are going to be in my head for a while.
I also finally found and read and ACE romance! I have been searching for a while as my youngest daughter is on the ACE spectrum and is a demi-sexual. When I found Role Playing, I was so excited to find a demi-sexual romance with mature characters! (I actually read it before J.R.'s ARC, and then I was thrilled that his book had a demi-sexual character too.)
The novellas I read were fun smutty reads full of hot times and insta-love. Novella length books have their drawbacks with character and plot development, but they are the perfect length to squeeze in when you aren't quite ready to start the next longer read.
I have a lot of books on deck to read next including several newer releases. I am sure I will read some more novellas too. Check out my reviews and add some books to your TBR. Until next time, happy reading!
Two Guys One Puck (Gods & Monsters #2) by J.R. Gray
ARC: Release Date- 09/18/2025
#ACE #EnemiesTo Lovers #NewAdult #Sports #LGBTQIA #BiAwakening #MM #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. It is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV, can be read as a standalone and ends with a HFN. This
author has been on my TBR for a long time and when a PR company offered me an
ARC, I checked my calendar and signed up for this one. I am so glad I did.
The book itself takes place over nearly two years as Seaborn,
who plays college hockey as an enforcer for the Gods, and Ktytor, who plays as
a center for the Monsters, go from enemies to lovers to love. I loved the depth
of the characters. Seaborn is playing in the hopes of getting drafted so that he
has the financial means to care for his family as his dad declines from a
terminal illness. Ktytor is also hoping to get drafted in the hopes to have the
financial security to get his brother and possibly his mother out of Ukraine to
the states. They both have a lot riding on how well they play and when they are
matched against each other it gets rough on the ice. I adored their banter and
the emotions the characters go through as they fight each other for dominance
on and then off the ice. I loved the exploration of Seaborn’s feelings as he
finds himself drawn to and having feelings for a man who happens to be his
rival. I loved Ktytor’s simple acceptance of his feelings and how that
influences their relationship. I also appreciated the discussions they had with
teammates about their emerging sexuality and the ready acceptance by their
close friends. I also loved how Ktytor’s teammates discuss the spectrum of asexuality
and demi-sexuality with him.
Beautifully written, I loved the character development and the way the characters come to rely on each other. I loved the heat between them, their banter, and the humorous moments. This will certainly not be the last book I read by this author. I am hooked.
Fighting Fate (Imperfect Hearts #4) by Alexandra Silva
#Fling #OppositesAttract #SurprisePregnancy #MMA #Sports
I was looking for a MMA book for a reading challenge and I
had one picked out until I saw the ad for this one. I saw surprise pregnancy
and I was in.
Set in London, this fourth book in series is written in
first person from an alternating dual POV and ends with a HEA. Though Rory and
Willow’s romance is complete in this book, there were several times where
secondary characters and backstory from previous books are front and center.
This made me feel like I was missing things at times. It also did provide some
spoiler to the first books. This was my first book by this author, and I had no
problem following the story. Though, I think I might like to go back and read
the other books in this series now.
The first 25% of the book moved a little slow as the
characters were introduced and the secondary character relationships are
explained. Rory (35) and Willow (34) have magnetic chemistry and sparring
verbal banter from the beginning. After an electric one-night stand, Rory
pursues Willow for a longer fling. Neither have any interest in a relationship
but a hot fling becomes an acceptable idea. As walls crumble and baggage is
revealed they build trust and friendship that goes deeper than expected. From
about 40% on, the book was tough to put down. The only thing I will say is that
there were several points where I didn’t feel the timeline was clear and I
wasn’t sure how much time had passed.
Willow really finds her way through past hurts to open her heart to Rory and a potential future. Her evolution from broken and fearful to strong and certain of what she will fight for was very fun to read. Rory: HOT HOLY MOLY! An American MMA champ, he is uber-protective, a little rough, and all-in for Willow for very early on. When he messes up, he does it in a big way. He brings good grovel and a lot of patience to win Willow back. I was angry with him; while understanding why he had the reaction he did. I loved their hot times and how confident they each were in their sexuality. I also liked how they embraced dirty talking in the bedroom. I really appreciated how the surprise pregnancy affected each of them and how realistic their reactions felt. They face obstacles and make it through to a very happy ending. I was impressed with the layered characters and the deeper than expected story. I am happy to have found another author to add to my TBR.
Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
#ACE #CinnamonRollHero #FriendsToLovers #GrumpySunshine #LGBTQIA+
#SingleMom #SlowBurn #SmallTown
I have been looking for an asexual romance that was not YA
for a long time. I was thrilled to find this one. On the asexual/demisexual
spectrum, with mature characters, it met my needs perfectly. As the mother of an
ACE/demi-sexual adult daughter, this really helped me understand her feelings
better; which was the purpose of looking for a book like this. It was my first book by this author, and I
really enjoyed her writing style and her character development.
Maggie is 48, an introvert, a little bitter and grumpy, and facing
an empty nest after her son leaves for college. Aiden, 50, is a nurse and a
single man who has moved back to his hometown to take care of his father in his
last days and now his elderly mother. He is also an introvert. As the story
unfolds, we also learn that he is a bi-sexual/demi-sexual on the ACE spectrum.
I loved Maggie! I appreciated that she was half white and
half Vietnamese, as those characters are so underrepresented. Her spunk and
give no f’s attitude perfectly represent women like me who reach a certain age,
experience an empty nest, and reevaluate how much they want to conform to
societal expectations. I 100% related to her having spent the bulk of her life
shaping herself into what everyone else wanted her to be and losing sight of
who she wanted to be. I read that some readers felt like she was immature. I
believe however that though the actions may look similar, the reasons for them are
much different at 50 than 15. As a teen, we often rebel and push boundaries and
see what we can get away with. At 50, we no longer care and often act in a way
that is true to ourselves regardless of expectations. It is less rebellion and
more just really not caring what other people think. That is Maggie. She still
struggles with insecurities and baggage left over from her failed marriage. She
felt human to me. I loved that she turned to video games as her escape. We all
need something.
Aiden is a soft cinnamon roll who is doing his very best to
take care of his very difficult mother. He has a lot of family drama going on
around him and does what he can to avoid it. I understood his introvert ways.
Learning how he viewed sexual attraction and relationships was a revelation to
me. It made me sad that he had faced devastating
heartbreak in his past. I love that he
comes into his own through his friendship with Maggie. That he begins to
believe that he didn’t have to pretend to be something he wasn’t to make others
happy and comfortable. The moment when he owns, accepts, and cherishes who he
is was perfect. He faces a lot of bigotry and phobia from his family and
members of the town. Yet he remains kind.
He is lovable bear of a man and Maggie was perfect for him. I really
appreciated that their relationship arc took time. The author understood that
for a character like Aiden a relationship full of comfort and trust and genuine
caring must be present before moving into a physical realm. As a result, this
romance is a bit of a slow burn- and I was here for it.
I also want to make a note of the way the title factors into
the book. Aiden and Maggie “meet” initially through an online role-playing game
guild. As their story develops, we learn that they have each played the roles
of the people others wanted them to be in life. Maggie was the perfect
granddaughter, wife, and mother. Aiden was the perfect businessman, once
fiancé, brother, and son. Maggie even adopts a role when she goes to the
wedding with Aiden as his “fake” date. As they each step away from the prescribed
roles into their true selves is what this book is really about. It is a bonus
when they find that together and form a loving relationship at the same time.
This book was a real joy to read.
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
#AgeGap #ForcedProximity #SlowBurn #Taboo
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
standalone ends with a HEA. There are a lot of reviews for this book. I have heard about it and saw it recommended many,
many times over the past few years. I am so glad that I finally got to read it.
It is actually my first book by this author, which was a surprise as I thought
I had read her before.
I love an age-gap romance, and I was intrigued to have the
romance between the 19-year-old girl and her boyfriend’s 38-year-old father. Though
they share attraction from their very first meeting, they actually don’t cross
any lines until Jordan is no longer with her boyfriend, Cole. To that point,
they form a friendship with each other. Jordan is sometimes wise for 19 and at
other times, she is a brat. Pike has his life together, but there are times
when it felt like his maturity was suspended at Jordan’s age. I loved how they
fought the attraction to each other, creating a delicious slow burn. And when
they eventually give in? HOT! Both characters cover a lot of emotional ground
in this book. They are so comfortable together.
I appreciated the depth of the story and the growth the
characters have. I loved Pike when he was pining and realizing that his
feelings for Jordan surpassed anything he ever expected. This was a
well-written book I didn’t want to put down. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Billionaire Wolf Needs an Assistant
(My Grumpy Werewolf Boss
#2) by Drusilla Swan
#Billionaire #FatedMates #GrumpySunshine #Paranormal #Shifter
#Workplace #Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
shares a timeline with book one (which I have not read) but is absolutely a
standalone and ends with a HEA.
Reeve is under pressure from the family and pack to find a “suitable” mate after his father’s death. His mother is quick to push her preferred suggestions. Unfortunately for Reeve, he recognizes his new, very human, assistant as his mate. Though he fights it, Katie and her sunshiny personality and her competence wins him over. There is one smoking-hot scene and one event where he shifts into his wolf. The best part of the story is how Katie encourages Reeve to pursue his own happiness and what good care she takes of him. This was a fun and fast read which functioned as a wonderful palette cleanser between longer books.
Devoted Mountain Man (Bitterroot Ridge Trail Crew #2)
by Peyton Lawson
#SingleMom #InstaLove #Novella
Written in third person from an alternating dual POV, this
is a standalone that ends with a HEA.
Grace and her 5-year-old daughter, Lily, start over after a
divorce when their car breaks down. Micah is a reclusive man who lives in a
cabin and takes them in. He is 100% the protective mountain man she never knew
she needed. This was a quick read with some heat as Grace and Micha fall fast
and forever. It was a perfect read to fit in an the evening between longer
books.
Bred with the Mountain Man
(Ozark Mountain Men Spicy Romance
#2) by Lily Birch
#CurvyGirl #InstaLove #SecretIdentity #Novella
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this
standalone ends with a HEA. This was a quick and hot read where “Nick”
volunteers to be the sperm donor for Natalie who desperately wants a family. I
loved the friendship they form and that what starts out fairly clinical is able
to become more. I enjoyed the characters and that Mick fell so hard for Natalie
he was terrified to reveal his real identity as her boss. This was a fun twist
on the br33ding kink. The characters
were likable, the writing was quite good, and I am still thinking about this
novella the next day- which says something. I want to read more by this author.
The Minotaur’s Fertile Claim
(Myths and Milk Monster Romance
#1) by X. Callisto
#HuCow #Monster #Novella
Written in first person from the FMC POV, this is a
standalone that ends with a HEA.
I squeaked in this novella one evening. It is a short and
spicy read. Lyra, a (nearly) human female runs from her owner/abuser and ends up
in the maze guarded by minotaur, Minos. I liked the premise of the book and the
connection between the characters. The writing was a little repetitive at times
and could maybe have used some additional editing to remedy that. This was my first
hu-cow book. It was an interesting fun read.
A Quiet Kind of Love by Maya Fox
#LGBTQIA+ #ACE #DNF
DNF at 40%
This is written in third person from an alternating dual
POV. Eli is a bookstore owner in a small town. Rowan is a mural artist who
recently arrived. They form a quiet connection based on presence and showing up
for each other.
At times the writing is quite poetic. I actually highlighted
several quotes in just what I read. Unfortunately, I felt like there were some
consistency issues with the plot. For example, in one scene they are cleaning
up teacups after a get together. In the next scene Rowan decides not to clean
up and to sit alone with their tea in the quiet. I also felt like I wasn’t
really getting to know the characters. Maybe they could have been developed a
little better? Their relationship felt more like the author was telling me than
showing me. Anyhoo, I will try a different book to meet my goal of reading an
asexual romance this year.
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