Iโve done everything I can to leave the past behind โ the past I barely escaped from. Now, Iโm a teacher at an elementary school, living a quiet life. Itโs not perfect, but itโs safe. And after everything Iโve been through, safe is enough.
Most days, I even manage to convince myself Iโm happy.
Until Eoin Walsh walks into my life.
Heโs calm, steady, and far too easy to lean on.
And before I know it, heโs become my anchor โ the one thing holding me in place when everything inside me says I need to run.
Because I know the rules.
Never stay too long. Never get too comfortable. Never let anyone in.
But this time, leaving feels impossible.
Because saying goodbye to him means breaking my own heart.
And it turns out, Irishmen have a way of stealing your heart before you even realize itโs gone.
Bryce Quinn is a romance author who believes in love with a spark. She writes stories filled with sassy heroines and the irresistible men who fall for themโalways with plenty of banter, chemistry, and heart. When sheโs not crafting love stories, sheโs probably lost in a book herself, dreaming up new characters, or enjoying a good cup of coffee.
This small town *could* be big enough for both of them . . .
Quiet. Serious. Protective. All words Stone Sylver would use to describe himself. And yet, something in his classic blue eyes said he was so much more. Buried beneath the years of raising his younger siblings and being a small town sheriff was a man looking for love.
Of course, I didnโt get all that the first night we met. The night we did a one-two step in a hotel hallway and knocked heads. The same night we shared a sweet potato cupcake and a single kiss.
Why didnโt we share more? The moment became a great mystery to me and because I thought he was only a brief interlude in my wanderlust life, I wasnโt prepared to see him again in Sterling Falls.
Visiting the small town where I once lived, I learn the man who I witnessed act like a superhero was more entwined in my past than Iโd remembered. And for a woman often afraid of a future, I suddenly craved oneโฆwith him. Which made no sense as Iโd never stuck in one place before. No one had ever asked me to stay.
Then again, from our first encounter, I knew Stone Sylver was different.
L.B. Dunbar loves sexy silver foxes, second chances, and small towns. If you enjoy older characters in your romance reads, including a hero with a little silver in his scruff and a heroine rediscovering her worth, then welcome to romance for those over 40. L.B. Dunbarโs signature works include women and men in their prime taking another turn at love and happily ever after. Sheโs a USA TODAY Bestseller as well as #1 Bestseller on Amazon in Later in Life Romance with her Lakeside Cottage and Road Trips & Romance series. L.B. lives in Chicago with her own sexy silver fox.
To get all the scoop about the self-proclaimed queen of silver fox romance, join her on Facebook at Loving L.B. or receive her monthly newsletter, Love Notes.
Come along for the fun, sexy ride as this business-savvy, pleasure-oriented billionaire gets the shock of his lifetime and finds out his ever-efficient virtual assistant is not the man he thinks he is but a beautiful businesswoman who knows many of his secrets and has some of her own inย Sincerely, Mr. Braden.
You know what they say about best-laid plans…
When the chance to finally meet my virtual assistant arises, I jump on it. Imagine my surprise when I find his beautiful sister Eleanor in his place.
The moment I meet Ellie Mitchell, my world shifts.
What was supposed to be a brief hello with my assistant turns into an unforgettable weekend with an incredible woman.
Iโve spent a lifetime keeping people at armโs length and walking away unscathed, but Ellie obliterates every wall Iโve ever built.
What I learn next shatters my world.
I donโt know which betrayal cuts deeper: The lie she told me or the truth that I still want her.
THE BRADENS AT RIDGEPORT Playing Mr. Perfect Sincerely, Mr. Braden Shamelessly Mr. Charming
Like most of Foster’s stories, it’s the characters that kept me turning the pages. What do you mean the MMC is a dirty talker in little nerdy glasses and quirky clothes, with a too big brain? And he’s found himself a delightful FMC that truly appreciates all of that and his humongous heart. I love that for him and the fact that he’s pretty quick to realize what he’s got right in front of him.
But as much as I love Seth, it’s really Taylor’s story. She’s struggling with a lot between caring for her dad and the fact that she’s never really gotten over the way her mom left. She has the support of her sister but she hasn’t really let herself relax. Until her weekend with Seth …
I’m not a huge fan of intentionally lying as a trope. I get why Taylor kept her identity secret and it plays out pretty smoothly but it just isn’t my favorite. I do think that Foster does a good job with setting us up. We understand how Taylor gets here and why she feels like this is her only option. I also think that the reveal and aftermath are handled well. It doesn’t go too long and is resolved in a pretty believable way. There’s a little bit of angst and some trouble coming their way but it works. And I love to see them as a couple, supporting each other and their loved ones, meshing their two lives together. So very satisfying.
A small-town yoga teacher finds something real with a linebacker posing as a lumberjack in this sharp and spicy romance from USA Today bestselling author Sara Ney.
With rugged good looks and muscles for days, Harris Bennett stops traffic no matter what heโs wearingโflannel shirt or football jersey. So when management sends him to Star Lake, Washington, for a team-building retreat, itโs no wonder a local mistakes him for a lumberjack. And Harris leans right into the misunderstanding. Because that โlocalโ looks amazing in yoga pants.
Lucy LeBrandt is a yoga instructor with trust issues: She doesnโt have time for men. But sheโs definitely drawn to the hot, goofy lumberjack who seems to know nothing about, well, lumberjacking. Heโs only in town for a week. Maybe she can squeeze him in between classesโฆ
Harris has no idea what to do with an axe, and Lucy has no idea what to do about Harris. But they both know exactly what to do when theyโre alone together. Can they split the difference between them, or is their romance just one stroke away from โTIIIIIMBER!โ?
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latteโs, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
Welcome to Rebel, Louisianaโwhere the humidity feels personal, even the otters hold grudges, and chaos is a competitive sport.
I used to play hockey in sold-out arenas. Now my wrecked knee and I are stuck in a little bayou town thatโs been mad at me for a year. I need a big comebackโand ZERO drama.
So first thing, I get tackled at the airport by a sunshiny woman in yellow overalls whoโs thwarting my kidnappingโฆ by her grandpas.
Thatโs Nora DelauneโParks & Rec director, caffeine-powered menace, and the only person in Rebel willing to give me a chance. She needs me to win games and help save the townโs ice arena before it gets turned into a laser-tag nightmare.
And Iโฆ kind of like being needed by her. Even when sheโs producing a singing, dancing, wig-wearing ice extravaganza that is definitely not hockey.
Then my sisterโthe teamโs new ownerโdrops the bomb: if Nora and I โdate,โ the town might stop hating me.
Fine. Weโll fake it. As long as we donโt call it love.
But between late-night practices, the sugar-addicted swamp-werewolf mascot, otter drama, and the way Nora looks at me like Iโm worth rooting forโฆIโm in trouble.
This was such a fun read. Nicholas’s books are always full of humor and quirkiness and small town eccentricities. Throw in a hockey game based off of the zaniness of Banana Ball and it’s a win for me! Readers will need to be OK with what is basically insta-love because the whole book is about a week long ๐ But that doesn’t keep it from being an enjoyable reader.
Nora is very dedicated to her hometown and she has her reasons for wanting to keep everyone happy & to stay in Rebel. It’s complicated but born of love and is handled in a way that totally works. Alex has his own troubles. He’s basically only ever been wanted or needed because of hockey. Finding himself cut from his team leaves him struggling. But time spent with Nora and the rest of the citizens in Rebel has him looking at life a little differently.
From the the very first page, I was hooked. Goofiness mixed with heart is a hallmark of Nicholas’s stories and she brings it in spades. Returning readers will recognize some of their favorite characters but there’s lots of new ones to fall in love with too. From Otter Club to bonkers hockey, Just Don’t Call It Love is all rom-commy fun with a HEA and a glimpse of what’s to come.
*****
Author Info:
Erin Nicholas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over sixty sexy contemporary romances and rom coms. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy, and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say theyโre shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).
Two Goalies. Only One Net. A Game They Never Saw Coming.
LOUIS
I thought I knew exactly who I wasโuntil a career-threatening injury forced me to realize I was wrong about my hockey future. And my heart.
My name is Louis Tremblay, and Iโve spent twelve years being the King of the Crease and the life of the locker room. But when a brutal on-ice collision tears my world apart, Iโm suddenly the guy on the sidelines watching a rookie take my net.
My body is broken, my “straight guy” identity is crumbling after one too many dreams about my backup, and now management wants me to mentor that same backup who’s gunning for my job.
Teaching Tanner Sinclair is supposed to save the teamโs season, but the more I show him about life in the pros, the more I realize heโs the only one who truly sees me.
TANNER
I donโt do “low-maintenance” because Iโm easy; I do it because Iโve spent my life trying not to rock the boat or cause problems. I came to the Seattle Sasquatch to prove Iโm a starter, not to fall for the legendary veteran who thinks he has to push me away to save both our careers.
Helping Louis through his injury was supposed to be a professional courtesy, but it ended up being the first time in my life I felt like I belonged.
Now a starting job with another team is on the table, and the only thing more terrifying than leaving the man Iโm falling for is staying in a net he thinks he has to give up for me.
The high-stakes world of pro-hockey only has room for one Number One goalie. But as their connection grows, Louis and Tanner must decide if being the starter is a prize worth holding ontoโor if theyโre ready to rewrite the game plan together.
Tropes: Bi-Awakening, Grumpy x Sunshine, Goalies in Love, Hurt/Comfort, and one very judgy bearded dragon.
Louis is a complete standalone novel in the Seattle Sasquatch series with no cliffhangers and a guaranteed HEA.
*****
Review:
This is the first of Harper’s books that I’m reading and I really like her style. It’s a smooth, easy read and her characters were interesting, with complex issues. Louis’s fear after his injury was soaked into every page and in the way that he interacts with Tanner. And oh Tanner. The way that he spent his entire life making himself small, never finding a place where he fit in, to just be. And them finding a space together, one of support and connection … buuuut, because of that I wanted more. I wanted more of the two of them with their friends and teammates. I wanted more of them together, Tanner learning from Louis, forming a relationship so that the potential trade had more bite. It’s a solid story and one with a good dose of heart but also one that needed just that little bit more to elevate it.
As soon as I heard the news, I knew it had to be wrong.
Bea? A killer? Impossible.
Not the sweet therapist who gently bullied me into recovery and never gave up on me, no matter how grouchy I was. She believed in me even when I didnโt believe in myself. And I wouldnโt be where I am now without her.
Helping Bea means breaking the law. It means asking my Blade and Arrow teammates to risk their freedom, if weโre caught. But the idea of leaving Bea on her own is unthinkable. So, with my friends’ help, we race to stage a daring rescue before it’s too late.
I woke up from one nightmare only to be thrust into another.
First witness to a horrific crime; now accused of being the one who did it.
On top of that, my protector is a man I never expected to see again. I thought about Indy from time to timeโwondering, worrying, even toying with the idea of checking up on him. But I never, ever imagined Iโd wake up on the other side of the country after he abducted me.
I want to be angry with him for what he did, even though he claims heโs just trying to help me. But itโs really hard to stay mad at Indy when heโs the only one who makes me feel safe.
Protected from Villainy features a wounded warrior hero, a sweet and strong heroine with struggles of her own, forced proximity, found family, a security team of Army veterans, and plenty of sweet and steamy moments. Can be read as a standalone and an HEA guaranteed!
I really enjoy Cobie’s stories and was so happy for Indy to get his own story after seeing him in Protected from Malice. He struggled so much after losing his hand, falling into depression and anger, but is starting to find his way again thanks to his work with Blade & Arrow. And he’s going to use his skills to protect the one woman he can’t forget, spiriting her off in the dark to keep her safe.
As they give in to the pull between them, Indy & Bea help each other feel more confidence in themselves & their attraction. The relationship they develop together may be fast, but it works on building on their previous connection. While there is no third act breakup, when you are about 2/3 way thru and you find your baddie you know that something more is coming. Cobie makes it work like she always does ๐
I find Cobie’s stories a well-balanced mix of suspense, action, steam, and emotion. Her bad guy works, the way we get there flows well, and the team is always fun to read. We’ve got a few more guys that need a book and I’ll be first in line.
*****
Author Info:
Gia Cobie is an award winning author living in upstate New York with her husband and small zoo of animals. She loves writing about protective heroes and the strong women they fall in love with.
In her spare time (when she has any!), Gia enjoys reading and spending time in the Adirondacks, and also has a weakness for reality romance shows, wine, and buying way too many books!
A Sexy, Small town, Enemies to Lovers, Brotherโs Best Friend romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Willow Aster
Camden Whitman has always been in my life. I met him when I was five and he was seven, but when he and my brother became best friends, I became nothing more than the pesky little sister he didnโt want around.
There was a period of time when I thought I felt a connection between us, but he shut that down faster than I could blink. Fast forward to adulthood years later, and here I am, still the annoying little sister he canโt stand.
Now thereโs one difference: I want nothing to do with him.
Iโm happy running The Kitty-Corner Cafe in my small town of Windy Harbor, Minnesota, and love living in my little slice of paradise on Lake Superiorโฆuntil Camden decides to move here and open up a new restaurant.
Who cares if heโs a well-known chef who can prepare the most delectable food? He will never hear that from me. Heโs wrecked my small-town, stress-free bubble and filled it with his abrasive comments and intrusive looks.
But then the unexpected happens. One night, when both of our walls are down, I see a glimpse of something other than distaste in his eyes. And it has me wondering if Iโve misjudged the man that has always gotten under my skin.
When those boundaries are crossed, thereโs no turning back. Camden is on a mission and will do whatever it takes to make me hisโฆ
What it Takes is book two in the interconnected, standalone Windy Harbor series.
I adore Cameron and Juju together but oh my goodness the angst that these two bring us. I know that part of it was that they were young and Cameron didn’t really know how to handle his feelings & the situation but he sure did make things worse. And they kept at it for years!
I don’t blame Juju for her reactions, especially as the flashbacks give us glimpses into exactly how bad things got. And once they started down that path it was probably hard to come back from it but *whew*
When things are good though, they are delightful. There’s a deep understanding between the two of them and a playfulness that makes me smile. They’ve known each other for years and share so many experiences & interests. They make a great team … as long as they get out of their own way ๐
Aster may bring us years of pining, sniping, and hurt, but she also gives us a good mix of spice and connection. I love the small town charm & close family ties of her stories and I’m looking forward to seeing what we get next with Dylan’s story.
Can rookie Camโs sunshine steal veteran Dawsonโs thunder?
Kicker Dawson Hall is ready to leave his past in the dust. His last season was catastrophically bad, with the distraction of his divorce and discovering that his father-in-law wasnโt managing his moneyโhe was stealing it, instead.
He signs with the Toronto Thunder, poised for his redemption arc, but heโs grumpy and frustrated he has to undertake one at all. He should be better than this. Heย isย better than this.
The new rookie punterโs hero worship might be just another annoyance, but Cameron Green is sweet and kind and more than a little naรฏve. Heโs a country boy suddenly dumped amongst all the skyscrapers, with no idea of how the real world can chew him up and spit him out. Itโs practically Dawsonโs duty to mentor him and if Dawson soaks up a little of his sunshine, too?
Well, nobody could blame him for that. Not after the yearโs heโs just had.
But when Dawson starts craving more and more of Cam, his crush dangerously teetering into passion kind of territory, heโs forced to not just confront his own past, full of disappointment and distrust, but his future, too.
He wants his redemption, and that perfect vision of a season feels just within reach. But it turns out he doesnโt just want Cam for single seasonโeven if itโs everything he believed he wantedโhe wants Cam for every season.
Available on:ย Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and audio narrated by Darcy Stark (est February)
I think I’m going to wear out the word but once again this is such a sweet read. Cam is all sorts of golden retriever energy. Positive, happy, set on showing Dawson how awesome Daws is … and that Cam might just be the perfect man for him. Loved it from the first kiss to the HEA.
And Dawson really is awesome. He’s a little battered, a little doubtful, and way too hard on himself but he’s had a rough year. No one could blame him for being a little hesitant to trust, in himself and in others. But there’s no denying his attraction to Cam. And while he’s a little slow to recognize how deep he is in with Cam, the man does eventually figure it out ๐
Bolden did it again. I love Cam & Dawson together – they are just so sweet as a couple. I love, love, love that she didn’t make it overly angsty. Instead we get Dawson working to get his feet back under him after his divorce and the fall out from his FIL’s deception. And when he starts to look up, there’s Cam right there in all his sunshiny, positive glory. Oh, my heart.
How is it possible to be surrounded by people who love me, yet I still feel alone?
Everyone is falling in love, and itโs like Iโve been left on the outside.
I want that for myself, but the thought of putting myself out there is terrifying.
Growing up being told youโre โtoo muchโ puts a dent in your confidence, no matter how hard you try to hide it.
Until one day, Lieutenant Hunter Bowen finds me trapped in an elevator.
His kind words and gentle smile only heightens the crush I have on him, and when he asks me to join him one night, I push my fears aside and say yes.
Iโm great at controlling the rebound on the ice, but when it comes to bruised hearts?
I guess weโll find out.
Hunter
When I became a widower seven years ago, my entire world was flipped upside down.
I needed a fresh start, so I left the military and moved across the country, and vowed never to fall in love again.
That was until I met Elliot Olsen.
The guy who has the brightest smile, the biggest heart, and a whole heap of unspoken emotions.
I try to keep my heart at a distance, but the fire burns too bright between us to ignore.
The only problem is Iโve been here before, and I donโt know if I can risk having my heart torn apart again.
Rebound Control is a sports romance featuring a hockey goaltender and a firefighter. It includes ADHD rep, a protective mc, late night ice cream drives and all the Thunder found family vibes.ย
It is book five in the Chicago Thunder series and can be read as a standalone.
I am all over the board on this one. I’ve only read a couple of the Thunder books so I don’t have a lot to go on when it comes to Elliot. I remember him as playful and fun loving but scattered and he’s definitely that, tho here his ADHD really becomes evident. And I’m not sure how those close to him missed it. Not so much his brother, because it would have just been how he always has been to Blaine, but his teammates and their SOs … I mean, it is blatantly obvious. But I do love that he finally gets the recognition and help that he needs, that he finds someone who understands him and loves him exactly as he is.
I adored Elliot’s enthusiasm for life and my heart went out to him for his struggles. It cannot have been easy, even with his brother and his friends, to struggle thru them alone. He’s developed a few coping mechanisms but he still has to deal with so much anxiety and negative thoughts.
There were times tho where I felt like his personality might read as younger than his actual age. His unrestrained joy and the way he throws himself into things, plus his difficulty in doing some of the more “adult” things, has him coming across as childlike. But his relationship with Hunter didn’t read as icky to me but it did make it hard for me to get a feel for Elliot.
Especially when compared to Hunter’s more old soul. He’s a little beaten up and aged by his experiences so he comes across as older than I imagine he is. I do wish he’d gotten some help for his issues because they seemed to just go away and that’s not how it works. That man really needed to see a therapist, especially as he finds himself falling in love again. But he does throw himself into their relationship whole heartedly and I love that so much.
I do appreciate that there isn’t a whole lot of angst to go along with all of their issues. There are so many emotions, so much internal turmoil, that I don’t think I could have handled the external too. Instead we get Hunter learning to let himself care about someone again and Elliot finding that someone that can truly appreciate him for who he is. It’s just so so sweet.
*****
Author Info:
Jodi Oliver is a British author who writes MM romance, happily ever after guaranteed. She loves donuts, dogs and ice hockey, and when she hasnโt got her head in a book or hiding in the writing cave, you can find her at an ice hockey game.
She lives in England but dreams of living in the Canadian countryside, with some highland cows and otters.
Romantic Reads and Such 