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Romantic Reads and Such

Monthly Archives: April 2026

Spotlight – Kace

07 Tuesday Apr 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Kace, Pittsburgh Titans series, Sawyer Bennett

Kace

Pittsburgh Titans series

by Sawyer Bennett

Blurb:

Kace Elliott is the hockey player with a genius IQ and a secret side hustle in applied physics. He’s falling for his research partner, but she doesn’t know who he is outside of the lab. Now, the closer they get, the harder it becomes for him to keep his two worlds from colliding.

On the ice, I’m Kace Elliott—starting goalie for the Pittsburgh Titans, fighting to prove myself in the playoffs. Off it, I’m William—a scientific researcher, quietly holding on to the academic world I’ll return to when hockey is over. Both versions are real, they just aren’t meant to overlap.

Until Dr. Laurel Kent.

Laurel is brilliant, principled, and deeply rooted in a world where transparency matters. She knows me online as William, her intellectual equal, the man who shares her passion for data, late-night collaboration, and easy, unexpected chemistry. William is very much her type whereas athletes are not.

I need her to like the bigger part of me—the hockey player. When she meets me in person, as Kace, I make the choice to let her see the type of man she’s sworn off from ever dating. She gets the Titans goalie and all the craziness that comes with the playoffs. But here’s where it gets complicated: I make the dangerous decision not to tell her Kace and William are the same person.

By some stroke of luck, Laurel agrees to give Kace a shot, and our time together is more than I ever hoped for. The closer together we grow, the less she talks about William, and I convince myself I’ll tell her the truth when the timing is better, once I’m able to prove I’m more than the label she’s written off. But timing has a way of unraveling even the best intentions.

As the pressure of the playoffs intensifies, the boundary I’ve relied on becomes impossible to maintain. When Laurel discovers how closely intertwined my worlds really are, I’m faced with the cost of asking someone to love only part of me.

And winning on the ice means nothing if I lose the woman who made me want to stop dividing my life in two.

Buy Link:

https://geni.us/SB_Kace

*****

Author Info:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer Bennett:

https://geni.us/SawyerBennett

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Review – Redeeming Rogue

06 Monday Apr 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Fox & Falcon Securities series, Gia Cobie, Redeeming Rogue

Redeeming Rogue

Fox & Falcon Securities #1

by Gia Cobie

Blurb:

I never wanted to see him again.

It was painful to even think about the man who’d broken my heart when I was seventeen—the man I’d thought I’d spend my life with until he tossed me aside as if I meant nothing.

But when I wake up in the hospital eighteen years later, hurting and confused, Nico’s there to protect me.

He says I was attacked on my way to see him. He wants to know why, after years of silence, I showed up again. But I can’t answer his questions because I can’t remember. Not why I was back in Manhattan. Not why I supposedly wanted to see him. And I have no idea who tried to kill me.

The last thing I expected to see on my way home from work was my ex-girlfriend being loaded into an ambulance, unconscious and injured.

Just as instinct demanded I go to her, logic said to leave the past buried. After all, we were nothing to each other anymore. Dredging up old hurts and betrayals would accomplish nothing. 

But it was Sofia. My Sofia. Who was attacked on the street on her way to see me.

So I go to see her in the hospital, unsure of what to expect. And when I get there, I arrive just in time to stop another attack. 

As I hold a vulnerable Sofia in my arms, I know there’s no way I can leave her. And I’ll do everything in my power to protect her.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/0fWJo8Be

Available in KU 

*****

Review:

I always enjoy Cobie’s stories. She does a good job of mixing the suspense & action elements with the more emotional ones. Here we get a couple with a very believable second chance at love, as long as they can keep Sophie alive 🙂

The danger that she’s in gives Nico & Sophie the necessary reason to spend time together. And Cobie does a good job of giving us bits and pieces of Sophie & Nico’s history, as well as how it affects their interactions today, resolving it in a satisfying way that gives them an opportunity to develop a new relationship. That danger is also resolved in a satisfying way (although there is a little gray area toward the end that I’m not sure how I feel about, tho I’m betting it’ll play out in the series), with a mystery that kept me going and in my feels.

It’s the first story in a new series and really only focuses on Nico & Sophie, with a little bit of an intro to his friends and F&F Securities. Based on it & the ending, we can probably expect similar stories to what we’ve seen from other series set in this world. And I’m here for it because every book I’ve read so far has kept me coming back for more.

*****

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!

Follow Gia for updates on her latest releases!


Connect with Gia Cobie:

https://www.giacobie.com

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Review – Mr. Trick Play

03 Friday Apr 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Becca Jackson, Book Review, Mr. Trick Play, The Playmakers series

Mr. Trick Play

The Playmakers #1

by Becca Jackson

Blurb:

LUKA

I’ve dreamed of being in the NHL since I was a kid, and even though I wasn’t drafted to the same team as my best friend, Cosmo, I’m determined to prove I belong here.

But when I meet my new no-nonsense captain, veteran defenseman Reid Raines, there is just one problem. Reid isn’t impressed by my flashy moves. In fact, he’s determined to rein in risk-takers like me and teach me to play it safe.

What he doesn’t know is that I have a plan of my own, one that has less to do with holding back my killer instincts and more to do with knocking him off balance with my wit and charm.

Basically, it’s time to Luka-love-bomb the captain.

But the more time we spend together, on and off the ice, the harder it is to ignore a shift between us.

My infectious energy has chipped away at Reid’s cool exterior, and every heated exchange feels charged with something new. Now I’m even more excited to see what will happen when the captain finally lets himself lose control.

Buy Link: https://getbook.at/ThePlaymakers1

*****

Review:

Reid had adulthood thrust on him at an early age when he got guardianship of his brothers after his parents died. Juggling his family with his career, and now being captain of his team, has made him a little more … staid and straight laced. He tends to be a bit of a rule follower.

Kinda the opposite of the team’s new rookie who tends to put on a bit of a show, giving the crowd something extra to cheer about. Their differences definitely don’t do much to damper their attraction to each other tho. An attraction that they maybe shouldn’t indulge in … but can’t ignore.

There’s not a lot of angst to their story, despite their situation. We spend some time with them early on as they get to know each other and Luka tries to find his place on his new team. Once they decide to explore their feelings they just have to figure out how that will work.

I’ve read a few of Jackson’s books and all of them have been kinda fluffy & feel good. Low angst with lots of sweetness & feels and Mr. Trick Play definitely fits in that category. Perfect for when you want to snuggle in and get a word based hug 🙂

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Review – A Puck Between Friends

03 Friday Apr 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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A Puck Between Friends, Book Review, Gods Versus Monsters Hockey series, J.R. Gray

A Puck Between Friends

Gods Versus Monsters Hockey #3

by J.R. Gray

Blurb:

When my best friend offers to come as my date to my sister’s wedding to get back at my sister for breaking his heart, I agree thinking it will be hilarious. What I didn’t consider was that I’ve been in love with him half my life, and all the consequences of us fake dating. 

My family demands I bring my new boyfriend to her shower first, and things only go downhill from there. My sister is marrying the goalie from our rival team who immediately is up in arms about us dating. 

Fair, but I don’t have time to dwell on it as things quickly get weird with my best friend. Wolfe is straight, it shouldn’t be weird right? It’s fake after all. But I’m so wrong.  He kisses me like I’ve never been kissed before, and then we both realize we have to keep this up for months until the wedding. 

Between the unexpected sexual tension, hockey, and the secrets we are keeping. I don’t know how we’re going to get through the season. 

Buy Link:

https://mybook.to/APuckBetweenFriendsGVM

Available in KU 

*****

Review:

Wolfe takes his confidence & golden retriever energy into basically every part of his life and his bi-awakening isn’t any different. I love how he takes it all in stride and is so sure & so proud of his sexuality. It takes Angel a little more time to really believe in it but Wolfe isn’t above putting in the work.

And I felt for Angel, loving his best friend and having to see him with first his sister & then years of one night stands. I adore a good best friends to lovers romance but these kinds can just break your heart. It’s totally understandable for it to take Wolfe a while to stop doubting the truth of their new dynamic. Years of deep friendship and a closeness like their’s would be hard to risk.

This is my first book by Gray and I really enjoyed it. The friendship between Wolfe and Angel, developed over years of closeness and some trauma, morphs so well into something more. And Gray doesn’t scrimp on the emotions or the steam as they find their new footing & what their futures might bring.

(Can be read as a stand alone but there were a few things from previous books that were a little confusing. Not related to the main plot tho and just a vagueness that I would probably understand if this wasn’t my first book in the series.)

*****

Author Info:

Gray is a cynical Chicago native, who drinks coffee all day, barely sleeps, and is a little too fashion obsessed. He writes realistic and damaged characters because everyone deserves a happily ever after.

Connect with J.R. Gray:

https://www.instagram.com/hipsterwriter/

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Review – The Wild Card

02 Thursday Apr 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Piper Rayne, The Dugout series, The Wild Card

The Wild Card

The Dugout #2

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

Getting pregnant after a one-night stand with my brother’s best friend was never part of the plan.

We’re talking about Foster Davis here.

Chicago Colts closing pitcher.
The broody king of one-word answers.
And the man everyone knows keeps one foot out the door.

Surprisingly, when two pink lines turn my world upside down, Foster doesn’t run. He steps in, he shows up, and he insists we do this together.

Pretending we’re fine is easy. Pretending this is just about the baby? Not so much.

Because Foster is gentle when no one’s watching.
Because he looks at me like I’m something worth protecting.
Because the walls he’s built start to crack—and I’m the one he’s letting inside.

Our arrangement was supposed to be simple. Boundaries were set. Co-parents and no catching feelings.

Okay, maybe a few sex lessons were added in too. Bad idea, I know.

Because the more time I spend with Foster Davis, the harder it is to remember why I ever thought he was the risky choice.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3IWsHxd

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/twc

*****

Review:

**maybe some minor spoilers**

Foster is probably one of my favorite Piper Rayne characters. I love his swagger and his issues and am really intrigued by the dynamic with his parents & brother. (Definitely looking forward to finding out more in Decker’s book.) And Callie’s sass – girl wasn’t taking anything lying down in The Hotshot 🙂 No wonder that the two of them together create sparks!

A lot of the times in accidental pregnancy or forced proximity tropes the reasoning is a little forced but I found that it works well here. I liked the two of them living together and taking the opportunity to get to know each other better. The secret of the baby and the way things play out was good too.

The sex lessons tho … I understand why they go there and how it might have worked in relation to just the two of them but I’m pretty sure a guy like Foster has a few tricks up his sleeve. Yes, part of the point was that he wasn’t exactly the guy that everyone thought he was. And that men sometimes think they are more amazing in bed than they really are but he had regular partners, not just bunnies or one night stands …

The relationship between the two of them, as well as the found family aspect of the teammates, sells it for me. Piper Rayne always delivers on her characters and both of them just got me in my feels. I was rooting for them every step of the way to figure out how to communicate their needs and concerns so they could figure out a way to support & truly love one another.

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FTC Disclaimer - see bottom of page for complete statement, but please be aware that in many cases I am provided a book to read. However my opinions are my own & no guarantee of positive review is given by any party.

Recent Posts

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I have received ARCs of books free from NetGalley (and many moons ago from BookTrib.com) to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher, author, or PR company. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affiliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any post.

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