Hello. April was a crazy busy month. I read four ARCs and one book from my TBR. Three were small-town romances, two were sports romances, two had first responders, and three were single dad heroes. In other words, all just what I like. Check my reviews and add them to your TBR. You won't be sorry.
Till next time, happy reading.
Test of Time (Blossom Peak #3) by Harlow James
ARC: Release Date- 04/10/2026
#SingleDad #GrumpyHero #FirstResponder #SmallTown #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. This is written in first person from an
alternating dual POV and ends with a sweet HEA. Though it can be read as a
standalone, readers will find the most benefit from reading this interconnected
series in order of publication.
Rhonan is the grumpy single dad to 5-year-old, Ellis- who is
a delight. He is also the protective older brother of Laney from book one in
this series. I loved it when Vienna shows up and knocks his world off its axis.
She is bravely finding her own space after escaping an abusive relationship.
She is starting over and figuring out her new normal. I liked her character. I
felt like the author does a really good job of balancing Vienna’s struggle to
try all the new things while dealing with the with fear and self-doubt from her
past. I adored the relationship she forms with Ellis and how confident she
becomes with Rhonan. He learns to trust that a second chance at love might
be possible while fearing having it stripped away.
This was a wonderful small town read which embraces the
found family these four men have developed and expanded as they find their
loves. I appreciated the touch of suspense in the story and the happiness at
the end. I also loved how readers get to see previous characters continue to
grow and evolve over the course of the series. I am very much looking forward
to Elliot’s book.
In the Friend Zone (Mile High Stallions #2)
by Christina Hovland
ARC: Release Date- 04/24/2026
#BrothersBestFriend #FriendsToLovers #ForcedProximity #Sports
#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. It can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Finn is charming and fun. When an injury upends his life, it
is Emily who arrives on the scene to make sure he is ok. Emily is smart, a
shark of a lawyer, a perfectionist, and a woman who loves making artisan
chocolate. She is good at taking care of Finn and he is good at taking care of
her. I love how they support each other. They have undeniable chemistry that is
only deepened by years of history and friendship.
I loved these two together. The author does an amazing job
with both Emily’s legal world and Finn’s football world. When they come
together, they are just dynamite.
Pinch Hitter (Brooklyn Bats #2) by Stephanie Rose
ARC: Release Date- 4/30/26
#SingleDad #ForcedProximity #FriendsToLovers #Nanny #Sports
#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 HEA.
Readers met Lee in book one of this series and I was really
looking forward to him getting a happy ending after the sorrow he has been
through. He struggles to manage everything as a single dad when Stella
comes back into his life, I adored the friendship they share, which has lasted
through everything since they were teenagers. Stella has always had a crush on
Lee but hid it from him. Honestly, she has always felt more than a crush on
him. When they learn to live together and help each other, their old and
new feelings quickly develop into a new life.
I adored this book. I loved how Stella struggled to protect
her heart while allowing herself to have the dream of becoming closer to Lee. I
loved how Lee falls hard for Stella while still not realizing that she has
always loved him. There are moments of panic, times when chemistry becomes
impossible to resist, moments of laughter, and moments of romance. I adored
Lee's dirty mouth and Stella's confidence in her own body. I loved his little
girl and how each of them had a special relationship with her. I really loved
the HEA. This book made me swoon. Don't miss it.
Heaven Forbid (Southern Charm #2) by Marika Ray
ARC: Release Date- 05/05/26
#SingleDad #SecretRomance #SmallTown #ARC
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving
an advance reader copy of the book. Written in first person from an alternating
dual POV, this can be read as a standalone and ends with a HEA.
Mary London (33) is always put together, always has the
right words to say, and is 100% committed to maintaining her southern debutante
image. She is whip-smart, determined, and has an amazing work ethic on top of
it. She sets out to smash expectations of the role a southern lady should play.
Rhett (40) has recently moved back to town with his teenage son, Rylan. He is
determined to give his son stability and the king of life a small town makes
possible.
This was a fun read with all the southern-isms. Rhett is a good man who learns to give himself a break from the expectations he perceives are upon him. Mary London is one tough gal, and I love how Rhett puts her first. Hot times and honest talk make a romance to remember. Heaven, Mississippi is a gift that just keeps on giving. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Sap & Secrets (Maplewood #1) by Daphne Elliot
#OneNightStand #SurprisePregnancy #Firefighter #FirstResponder #ForcedProximity
#SmallTown
Written in first person from an alternating dual POV, this book
ends in a HEA. Though it can be read as a standalone, there is a mystery in
this small town. It doesn’t feel like the wrap up of it in this book is the
true solution to what happened and I expect further books in the series will
tell that story.
Jasper is a golden retriever with a squishy heart and a
firefighter’s muscle. He also has a wonderful and tight-knit family. Evie has
only been in town two years at the beginning of this book, but she has also
found friends like family in this town for the first time in her life. Jasper
will do anything for Evie and their son. He definitely rocks the hot dad schtick.
Evie had a traumatic childhood that readers get a glimpse of as her family
struggle is slowly revealed. (The author lists CWs for sensitive readers to
consider.) Her background affects the way she sees and involves herself with
relationships- especially with men. This impacts how she interacts with Jasper.
There are times when it makes her look cold and selfish. I tried to understand
where she was coming from, and I have always been a sucker for a golden
retriever hero. I liked the premise of the twist on a surprise pregnancy. It
reminded me of that show “I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant” that used be on.
Apparently, this really does happen to people- especially people like Evie who
believe they are unable to become pregnant.
I enjoyed the banter, the small-town atmosphere, and the
thread of mystery and danger. The epilogue sets up book two, and I am excited
to see what comes next.
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