I’ve spent the better part of the last few years successfully avoiding my brother’s best friend, Weston Aldrich.
As CEO of Andes, Inc, the infuriatingly handsome and incessantly grumpy Weston also happens to be my new boss.
It shouldn’t have been hard to continue avoiding him. After all, he’s on the executive floor and I’m one of many copywriters.
Weston has his own ideas about how things should go between us. He’s in my emails, leaving notes on my desk, and as if that’s not enough, he arranges for me to accompany him on a business trip.
That leads to stolen touches, frenzied kisses, and the undeniable need to work each other out of our systems.
That always works, right?
Except now that I know what it feels like to have Weston Aldrich appreciate every inch of my abundant curves, avoiding him is impossible.
But he’s my brother’s best friend.
And a workaholic.
We have to stop.
And we will. Soon.
Just…not yet.
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OK, so after reading some of the other reviews I think I have a slightly differing opinion than some – the man does screw up royally, which isn’t a spoiler because you can see it coming a mile away. But maybe it’s because we get Weston’s POV as well that I just couldn’t lay all of the blame on him. The first time I put a lot of it on Elise. He explained the situation and what to expect, then when it happened (and maybe it was a little much), she just shuts down instead of having a conversation with him. Granted the way Wolf writes his jealousy is a little over the top for me, but I could see where some might find it sexy, and in in this case it definitely doesn’t help his situation. The second time, though the majority of their issues do lie at his feet, she could have been a bit more communicative here as well. Point out to him what is going on, why it isn’t working, and what you expect to change. Getting huffy – even understandably so – doesn’t help the situation.
Having both POVs, though, does mean that I felt for both of them. They have their reasons for doing the things they do and it’s hard letting go of the scars from their pasts. Just a little bit more working together would do a lot to get them to a healthier and more stable place to move towards a future together. It’s not going to be easy for either of them, they just have to decide if it’s what they want.
Wolf delivers delightful secondary characters (most of whom I really hope get their own story) and a love story that I found myself drawn to, even while I wanted to give them both a stern talking to. Dear Grumpy Boss is spicy, definitely angsty, and has a nice touch of whimsy & humor – as an introduction to a new-to-me author, I couldn’t ask for a better choice.
*****
Author Info:
Julia Wolf writes sexy rockers, broken bad boys, snarky heroines, and bad ass women. She’s a firm believer in happily ever afters, no matter how rocky the road is to get there.
Julia lives in Maryland with her husband and three crazy, beautiful children. When she’s not writing romance, she’s reading it. Some of her favorite things are, in no particular order: goats, books, coffee, and Target.
What happens when a rock star with no plans of settling down finds out he has a teenage daughter, his manager is embezzling from him, and the woman heโs hired to design his tour wardrobe is breathing fire? Come along for the snarky, emotional, and insanely sexy ride as Jillian and Johnny get caught up in a storm that just might be bigger than both of them.
Jillian Bradenโs quick, creative thinking and fierce determination have helped her singlehandedly build a fashion empire. She doesnโt mince words and demands respect, but beneath all that armor, she carries the Braden curse of a soft heart. But that soft heart isnโt looking to start a family and doesnโt know the first thing about mollycoddling. When famed rock star Johnny Bad hires her to design his tour wardrobe and then postpones it at the last minute for the third time, sheโs had enough. Jillian is determined to set him straight, but she isnโt at all prepared for what she finds or for the type of help Johnny Bad really needs.
Scorching heat, laugh-out-loud humor, and an abundance of swoon-worthy moments make this sexy new standalone romance by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melissa Foster unputdownable. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and happily ever afters guaranteed to leave you breathlessly in love with the fiercely loyal and wickedly naughty characters in the Love in Bloom series. All Love in Bloom books are written to stand alone or be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in and enjoy the ride!
Next to Tru Blue, I think this was my favorite Melissa Foster book. Johnny is just all around awesome – he makes mistakes, but he has such a huge heart and really wants to be the best person he can be. He’s had a lot thrown at him all at once, but he steps up and does what needs to be done …. including taking on the sexy little spitfire yelling at him about cancelling a meeting yet again. With patience, understanding, and persistence, he’ll prove he’s in it for the long haul.
I’ve read a decent number of Foster’s books, but this is only the second of the Braden books so while I’ve met Jilly before it wasn’t all that much. She turned out to be just a spunky as I’d expected her to be, tho. She owns her sexuality, her smarts, and her spirit, giving Johnny both attitude and assistance in spades. She’s not going to let him get away with anything, but she also recognizes what we do – that he’s a genuinely good guy that’s doing the best he can. Together they can get through just about anything that life throws at them and I’m here for every minute of it.
I gotta say that the blurb doesn’t lie – Rocked By Love is full to the brim with humor, heat, and heart. Foster really hit it out the park with this one, delivering well-developed characters that seem so real and a story that is guaranteed to touch your heart. (And Johnny’s dirty mouth definitely doesn’t hurt!)
~part of a series but can be read as a stand alone – although there’s a lot of characters that were introduced in other books, enough info was given that I mostly figured out what’s going on~
*****
Author Info:
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissaโs emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family orientedโperfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.
โFilled with humor, heart and real love.โ โMichelle Major,ย USA Todayย bestselling author
USA Todayย bestselling author Jennie Marts proves thereโs nothing quite like a cowboy.
No matter how swoony the cute cowboy is, romance is the last thing on Carley Chapmanโs mind. But itโs hard to ignore Knox Garrison and the spark of attraction she feels every time heโs near. When a water line break floods her building, sheโs forced to move her salon out to the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue ranch, and Knox shows up to help. But things get even more complicated when Carleyโs no-good ex comes sniffing around and Knox โfixesโ the problem by telling him theyโre engagedโฆ
Praise for Jennie Martsโs cowboy romances:
โFunny, complicated, and irresistible. Sometimes a cowboy isnโt perfect but you got to love him anyway.โโJODI THOMAS,ย New York Timesย bestselling author, forย Caught Up in a Cowboy
โFull of hope, humor, and undeniable swoon.โโA.J. PINE,ย USA Todayย bestselling author, forย How to Cowboy
โDeliciously steamy but still sweet, with a secret at its heart.โโJOANNE KENNEDY, award-winning author, forย Wish Upon a Cowboy
Carley gestured to the kitchen island where sheโd set out mini quiches, fruit, yogurt, and a mimosa bar. โBefore we get started, you all make yourselves some plates. And Iโve orange juice and champagne if you all want mimosas.โ
โIโm down for that,โ the third bridesmaid, who Carley didnโt recognize, said, as she strode into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of alcohol. Already gorgeous, with her long blond hair pulled up in a ponytail, she wore a bright teal Western-cut shirt, jeans tucked into tall, embroidered cowboy boots, and a rhinestone-studded belt held together by a large, shiny rodeo championship buckle. โI may not be able to make fancy invitations or frost a million cupcakes, but I make a mean mimosa that will either land you on your butt or in the lap of a hot cowboy, and Iโm making one for all of you.โ
Chloe nudged Carley. โThatโs Stacey, Coltโs cousin. Sheโs a barrel racer, and the rumors youโve heard about them are true.โ
โBut you love me anyway,โ Stacey said then let out a whoop as she popped the champagne cork.
โYes, we do,โ Chloe agreed, laughing with her. โBut Iโve already got my cowboy, and the last thing I need is to land on my tush at the wedding tonight, so make mine light on the champagne.โ
Carley laughed, even as she couldnโt help thinking about how she wished all it would take was a mean mimosa to land her in a certain hot cowboyโs lap. โI want you all to have a good time this morning. Iโll do Quinnโs and Tessaโs hair first, then work on the brideโs, and then finish with Staceyโs.โ
โPerfect,โ Chloe said, accepting one of the mimosas Stacey was handing around.
โHereโs to the bride,โ Stacey called out, holding up the last glass. โNow, letโs get this party started.โ
An hour later, Carley was just starting on Chloeโs hair when the front door opened, and Knox walked in. He held up two boxes of Twinkies. โWho needs a little sugar?โ
โOh my word,โ Stacey squealed as she bolted off the sofa and charged towards him. โChloe, you little devil. You got us a stripper.โ She circled around Knox looking him up and down as she went. โAnd da-amn, is he ever a good-looking one.โ She gestured to his service weapon. โHey handsome, are you going to show us your big gun? Is it already cocked?โ
โWhat? NoโฆI meanโฆthis is a real gun,โ Knox sputtered, putting his hand protectively over his holster.
โIโm sure it is, baby,โ Stacey crooned, leaning forward and giving him a little shimmy. โHow much extra for a lap dance? Because Iโve got an hour still to get my hair real mussed up, and Iโve got money to burn.โ
โStacey. Stop it,โ Chloe said. โHeโs not a stripper.โ
โGood try,โ Stacey said. โLook at those muscles. I know a stripper when I see one.โ She gave Knox the โMatrix come forwardโ gesture with her fingers. โCome on, baby, show us what you got.โ
Knox looked at Carley, as if hoping sheโd save him. Sheโd never seen the deputy so tongue-tied, but he seemed completely flummoxed as he held up the cardboard boxes. โI just brought some Twinkies.โ
โWe know. And we want to see โem.โ Stacey hooted then let out a long wolf-whistle.
โListen now,โ Knox tried again. โIโm a deputy sheriff, and this is my official uniform.โ
โGreat,โ Stacey said. โNow take it off. Then can I touch your gun?โ
โWhat did I tell you?โ Chloe said, shaking her head. โBarrel racers. You canโt take โem anywhere.โ
โSorry ladies,โ Carley heard herself say as she stepped around Chloe and in front of Knox. โThis oneโs mine.โ
Mine? Since when did she consider this man hers? Apparently as soon as some hot barrel-racer started flirting with him.
Knox stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist. Either her declaration or the steadiness of his hand holding her hip must have given him some of his composure back because his voice changed back to his normal charming tone. โYep, thatโs right. I belong to this one. Sorry ladies. Carleyโs the only one Iโm stripping for.โ He grinned down at her. โToo much?โ he asked quietly, before turning back to Stacey. โAnd sheโs the only one who gets to touch my gun.โ
Carley barked out a laugh then covered her mouth. โI knew I shouldnโt have had a mimosa.โ
โI havenโt had nearly enough,โ Stacey said, heading toward the kitchen. โIโm making another round. You in for one, Mr. Official Deputy Sheriff?โ
Knox shook his head. โNo thanks. I just stopped by to bring you all some snacks and to offer to help.โ
Carleyโs heart melted a little. โAww. Thatโs so nice of you.โ
โI was worried you would be having a rough time being out of your normal element and thought maybe I could do something. You already know my skills at washing hair. Do you need me to shampoo anyone?โ
โNo thanks,โ Carley said. โI appreciate the offer, but updos work best when you start with dirty hair.โ
โIโve got dirty hair,โ Stacey piped up. โIn fact, Iโm real dirty. So, you can shampoo all of me.โ
โStacey, seriously dude, you have to stop,โ Chloe scolded. โKnox is Carleyโs fiancรฉ. He is not a stripper.โ
โWhat?โ Aunt Sassy asked from behind them as she pushed through the door of the bunkhouse. โYou all got a stripper? I didnโt know you were getting a stripper. I wouldโve skipped my dentist appointment entirely and come straight here if Iโd known. Did he start yet?โ She snapped open her handbag. โI know I have some cash in here. Do I need one-dollar bills, or do you think he can make change?โ
Chloe raised an eyebrow at Stacey. โSee what you started?โ Then she called out to the other woman. โSorry, Aunt Sassy, there is no stripper.โ
โDang,โ she said, snapping closed her purse. โIs it too late to get one?โ
*****
Author Info:
Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books โlaugh out loudโ funny and the โperfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.โ Fic Central claimed one of her books was โthe most fun Iโve had reading in years.โ
She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. Sheโs addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you canโt have too many books, shoes, or friends.
Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.
Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her atย www.jenniemarts.comย and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.
From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a new fake dating, standalone sports romance featuring the hockey men you canโt get enough of and love. This steamy, age-gap romantic comedy will bring all the laughs while making your cheeks blush at the same time.
Right Man, Right Time
by Meghan Quinn
Blurb:
Running into your ex is never ideal. Running into your ex who is now dating your nemesis is a literal nightmare.
Thatโs how I found myself in a sheer panic, reaching for the closest guy at the bar and kissing him. And to my delight he was easily the most attractive man Iโve ever seen.
The only problem is, when I tried to walk away after thanking him for his help, he stopped me with three life-changing words . . .โYou owe me.โ
Thatโs how I found myself, a college girl, in a fake relationship with a professional hockey player ten years older than me.
At first it was easy. He helped me with my internship. I helped keep his ex away from him. We were becoming fast friends.
It wasnโt until he started staying the night at my dorm did the rules of our arrangement become complicated.
Now my feelings are involved and even though I kissed the right man at the right time, Iโm worried heโs just waiting for the clock to run out.
USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.
Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.
Heโs her next makeover project. Sheโs his next mistake.
Ivy
Iโm Ivy Anders, popular romance novelist and small-town success story. Or so they say. I tell myself Iโm only back in my hometown because my father had a heart attack, but thatโs not the full story.
I canโt go home. And the longer I stay, the less I want to. Iโm drawn in by my part-time job at Ziggy brewery, which I took to research for my next book, and by the mystery of Lou, my fatherโs stuffy lodger, a temporary transplant from New York.
Normally, I wouldnโt look twice at someone like Lou. Heโs a rules guy, and Iโve never met a rule I didnโt want to break just for the fun of it. But itโs obvious he needs an intervention to avoid becoming an old man at thirty-four, and I am going to make that happen.
Lou
I came to Highland Hills to hide. Itโs not every day a man loses his professional integrity, his fiancรฉe, and his pet fish all in the same week.
The last thing I want is for smoking hot Ivy Anders to get it into her head that I should be her project. But she has, and itโs hard as hell to say no to her. Believe me, Iโve tried.
The more time we spend together, the more I realize that I have another problem on my hands: Ivyโs everything Iโm notโyoung and wild and freeโand sheโs all I can think about.
*****
Review:
I’ll be honest, I expected Ivy to get on my nerves. There’s something about “party girls who have commitment issues” that usually comes off more as flighty and annoying, but Ivy was actually fun. She had a sense of adventure and a penchant for poking her nose in where it doesn’t belong (mostly to have an excuse to not look at her own troubles). She’s a good foil for Lou’s more serious demeanor and tendency to be a little too responsible. As their relationship develops and turns into something more, they blend together well. Ivy’s issues because of her childhood and the way she was treated by her mother were definitely going to prove to be a stumbling block but it’s done in a way that left me very satisfied.
With quirky humor, steamy (and sometimes surprising) sexy time, and a very Ivy & Lou HEA, Matchmaking a Roommate finishes the Highland Hills on a high note … with just enough of a hint to tease us about what comes next.
(Part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone.)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I should have known behind that deep sexy southern drawl, and beautiful face lived the worldโs biggest asshole.
Iโve tried my damnedest to put him behind me. But it was hard to do when I saw his face every night in my dreams and couldnโt forget how he worked my body over.
It was okay. I had my work as a vet, my equine rescue to manage, and my friends. Iโd forget him or work myself to death trying.
Except thereโs one problem.
Turns out heโs the new free-agent running back who just signed a one-year deal with the Portland Pirates. The infamous Declan Miller has turned my world upside down and reinserted his unforgettable self back into my life for the next year.
Declan’s the last person I want help from, but it looks like I donโt have a choice.
Declan Miller
When I walked into Alejandroโs Bar that night in late July, I never expected to meet someone my first night in town.
But the sexy guy with wavy dark blond hair and hazel-green eyes sitting alone at the bar caught my attention immediately. Or maybe it was the way he was sniffing his own shirt.
After a night of the best sex of my life, I knew I had to push him away. I wasnโt doing relationships anymore, and this gorgeous, funny man had the power to break me.
But when I find out my unforgettable hookup is part of my new friend group, Dr. Callum Kennedy wants nothing to do with me until he has no choice but to let me help.
Illegal Motion is an MM sports romance and the fourth book in The Package Deal Series about the hot single dads of the Portland Pirates football team.
Before fully processing Jacksonโs words, I heard that voice that sent shivers down my spine. Was I hallucinating? I looked at the beer in my hand and read the label. Nope, no hard liquor.
โWhoโs from Kentucky?โ The southern drawl drew me in like flies to honey and caused my spine to stiffen. There was no fucking way he could be here.
Jackson glanced at him. โI was talking about you, asshole. Come and meet my friend. Heโs the vet I told you about with the horses.โ
The scent of apples and vanilla hit me before I looked up into those deep brown eyes. My pulse sped up as I tried to calm my frazzled nerves. I just might fucking pass out.
Or punch the smug fucker.
Jackson was oblivious to my near stroke. I only had a split second to figure out how to play this moment, and I was sure it was probably the wrong way.
But the look on his face was priceless. His eyes widened as he took me in. Iโd never been happier that Iโd started working out at the gym. Maybe he was going to be the one to pass out.
โDeclan, this is Dr. Callum Kennedy. Callum, this is our new running back, Declan Miller.โ
I know Jackson was expecting the standard greeting among strangers. And I wasnโt going to give this asshole the satisfaction of knowing heโd affected me so deeply with his brush-off.
So I steeled my spine, stood straight up, and met his eyes. I held out my hand to shake his. I tried to be my regular cordial self, but I failed quickly.
I sighed. โSo, youโre the new running back.โ
Declan looked at my hand and brought his to mine to shake. I would have sworn there was an electrical storm from the electricity arcing through my body.
โAnd youโre the vet Iโve heard so much about.โ
Our eyes stayed locked on each other as I withdrew my hand from his. I watched his face as he sifted through the memories of that night. His eyes dilated, and the sexy bastard gave me the same grin he had that night at Alejandroโs. I would have been fine to play it as if weโd never met before. I could ignore him.
But I frowned as the fucker let his eyes roam all over my body before he sucked in his bottom lip as he smiled at me. I would bet my truck that if I looked down, his cock would be hard as steel.
*****
Author Info:
Rheland Richmond
For as long as she can remember, Rheland’s had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else’s creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.
Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.
She’s just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.
Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about y’all. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.
Emerson Beckett is new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. Itโs even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.
The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people sheโs ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond.
Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, which includes The Quarterback Keeper, Pass Interference,Unnecessary Roughness, Two-Point Conversion, and three more upcoming books in the series. She will release her first solo novel in late spring 2023.
Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 32 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.
Emerson would love to hear from her readers. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.
It should be the happiest time in Audreyโs life, but from the moment she and Gabe land in Candy Cane Key, nothing seems to go as planned. Readers who love a side of laughter with their romance will enjoy Another One Bites the Dust by Katie Rae, a steamy, small town, everything goes wrong romantic comedy.
Another One Bites the Dust
Candy Cane Key
Man of the Month Club
by Katie Rae
Blurb:
Gabe and Audrey are BACK!
It should have been the happiest time in Audrey’s life
With the man she loved by her side
But from the moment they landed in Candy Cane Key,
Nothing seemed to go as planned.
“Please don’t tell me there are mosquitos on the beach, Gabe!”
Katie Rae was born in Florida where she currently lives with her husband of 19 years. She is a book obsessed beach bum that loves baseball and baking shows. She loves writing and reading to escape the craziness of daily life. Follow along as more titles are set to release. And relax–reading is what keeps us sane.
Romantic Reads and Such 