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Romantic Reads and Such

Author Archives: romanticreadsandsuch

Spotlight – Island Confidential Series

08 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Bed-Hopping, Dick Move, Island Confidential series, Stage Weekend, TA Moore, Wanted - Bad Boyfriend

Β Island men know what they want…but not always what they need.

(All the books in the series can be read as standalone stories and do not end on a cliffhanger.)

Bed-Hopping

Island Confidential Novella

by TA Moore

Length: 38 000 words

Release Date: July 31, 2025

Tense/POV: Third person, alternating POV

Tropes: Fake dating, small town romance, lies, love at first sight. 

Themes: Forgiving your own mistakes, moving on, sometimes it’s worth the risk.

Blurb:

It shouldn’t have been this difficult.

All Ryan wanted was to leave his ex-boyfriend at home and go to his childhood best friend’s wedding as a single man. The only problem was that apparently he was the only sane person he knew. His actor ex didn’t want their break-up on social media until it would be good PR for him. Meanwhile the bride, and childhood best friend, was so rigorously superstitious about bad omens that the wedding would have been cancelled already if someone hadn’t ‘seen’ an extra magpie at the engagement party.

So Ryan had agreed to keep the break up quiet until after the honeymoon. It did mean he had bring his ex as his plus one to the ceremony, but it would only be a few more weeks. That couldn’t hurt.

Only problem is that now Ryan has to try and stop his ex turning their break-up into a soap opera, convince the hottest man he’s ever seen that they can kiss without it being cheating…and make sure the bride didn’t find out about any of it.

Maybe he needed some of that good luck she was hoarding?

GoodreadsΒ  Β | Β Β Buy Links

~

Excerpt:

β€œOh, you can’t tell her,” Jenny said from the other side of the counter. She shook a plastic bottle of mayo vigorously in one hand. β€œShe will lose her goddamn mind.”

It wasn’t the reaction that Ryan had hoped for. He pulled a dubious face and rubbed the back of his neck.

β€œIt can’t be that bad,” he protested.

Jenny mugged incredulity at him as she flipped the cap of the mayo bottle and turned it upside down. She squeezed a wriggly line of mayo over the curry-yellow chunks of chicken she’d already thrown onto the roll.

β€œAre you kidding me?” she asked. β€œYou think that your best friendβ€”your astrology symbol tattooed, magpie saluting, psychic consulting BFFβ€”is going to take it in her stride that love is dead?”

She smacked the bottle down to punctuate that and raised her eyebrows expectantly at him for his input. 

β€œOK, no, not when you put it like that,” Ryan said. β€œBut it’s not like that. I just broke up with my boyfriend—”

Jenny wagged a greasy blue-gloved finger at him to stop him there.

β€œYou mean, your soulmate,” she corrected him, with jazz hands for emphasis.

β€œI do not,” Ryan said. β€œIf he was, I’d not have broken up with him.”

That objection was dismissed with a rude noise. β€œIt’s not about you.”

β€œI…wow, sorry,” Ryan said. β€œThere’s me thinking it was.”

Jenny shrugged as she grabbed some red onion and tossed it onto the sandwich. Then she took a beat to consider her creation and added some sweetcorn. Ryan started to object but gave it up as the yellow kernels sank into the mayo. He was hungry, and he would rather have unwanted sweetcorn he knew about than one stray left behind to surprise him.

β€œOK, obviously you think it’s about you,” she said. β€œFrom Clem’s point of view, though, it’s about her and her relationship. That psychic saying her and Greg are soulmates is the basis of their relationship.”

β€œThat’s…they love each other,” Ryan objected. β€œThey have weathered so much in their relationship and—”

β€œYeah, but only because they’re soulmates,” Jenny said. She picked up the top of the roll and smacked it down on the toppings. β€œRemember when Greg went to Newcastle to work? Clem told me that the only reason she made it work was because that psychic told her they were endgame.”

β€œOK, so the psychic was right about her and Greg, but wrong about me and Devon,” Ryan said. β€œWe’re broken up. She’s going to have to come to terms with that eventually.”

β€œSure,” Jenny said. Paper crinkled as she pinched, folded, and tucked it around the sandwich. β€œIf you’d broken up, like, six months ago! You can’t drop it on her a week before her wedding, one of the biggest decisions of her life, that the psychic was full of shit. It’s going to look like the worst omen in the world. She will definitely panic and call it all off.”

Shit.

*****

Stag WeekendΒ Β Β 

Island Confidential Novella

by TA MooreΒ Β Β 

Length:  45 000 words

Tropes: Forbidden romance, Giveaway the Bride, Lost Wedding Ring, Stag Party

Blurb:

Simon had a plan.

He’d go to his sister’s wedding, he’d keep his head down, and the whole family would finally have something other than his disastrously brief engagement to talk about. It was going to be the fact that none of them liked his new brother-in-law, but that wasn’t Simon’s fault.

It was a simple plan that really couldn’t go wrong. Not unless Simon did something really stupid, like wake up the morning after a stag weekend with a stranger in his hotel bed and no idea who it was.

That was the sort of gossip that was hard to beat.

GoodreadsΒ Β  | Β Β Buy Links

*****

Dick Move

Island Confidential Novella

by TA Moore

Length:  20 000 words

Tropes: Rule of funny, best friend’s ex, ex complications

Themes: Accepting you’re worth more than you think, letting go of an ex, small town romance

Blurb:

When Danny Shaw’s ex dumped the job of returning some…personal items…to a short list of his previous conquests on him that seemed like imposition enough. Until he opened the bag and found that the items in question could best be described as extremely intimate and disturbingly detailed.

But when life gives you a bag of hyper-realistic sex toys, modeled after penises your ex knew and admired, what else is there to do but find the biggest dick you know and ask if one of them is his?

Meanwhile, all Will wanted was a quiet night out. Not that he was going to turn down a chance to spend time with Danny, even if it did lead to some weird conversations.

GoodreadsΒ Β  | Β Β Buy Links

*****

Wanted – Bad Boyfriend

Island Confidential #1

by TA Moore

Length: 76 000 words

Tropes: Fake dating, opposites attract, secrets and lies, small town romance. 

Blurb:

His mother. His best friend. The barmaid at the local pub. Everyone is determined to find Nathan Moffatt a boyfriend. It’s the last thing Nathan wants. After spending every day making sure his clients experience nothing but romantic magic, the Granshire Hotel’s wedding organizer just wants to go home, binge-watch crime dramas, and eat pizza in his underwear.

Unfortunately, no one believes him, and he’s stuck with lectures about dying alone. Then inspiration strikes. He needs the people in his life to want him to stay single as much as he does. He needs a bad boyfriend.

There’s only one man for the job.

Flynn Delaney is used to people on the island of Ceremony thinking the worst of him. But he isn’t sure he wants the dubious honor of worst boyfriend on the entire island. On the other hand, if he plays along, he gets to hang out with the gorgeous Nathan and piss off the owners of the Granshire Hotel. It’s a win-win.

There’s only one problemβ€”Flynn’s actually quite a good boyfriend, and now Nathan’s wondering if getting off the sofa occasionally is really the worst thing in the world.

GoodreadsΒ Β  | Β  Β Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited

*****

Author Info:

TA Moore is a Northern Irish writer of romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and contemporary romance novels. A childhood in a rural, seaside town fostered in her a suspicious nature, a love of mystery, and a streak of black humour a mile wide.

Coffee, Doc Marten boots, and good friends are the essential things in life. Spiders, mayo, and heels are to be avoided.

Blog/WebsiteΒ Β | Β FacebookΒ Β | Β Twitter | InstagramΒ Β | Β Β Newsletter Sign-upΒ Β | Β TikTok

*****

Giveaway:

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway for a chance to winΒ one of twoΒ ebooks or a $10 Amazon gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~

Hosted by Gay Book Promotions

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Review – Single-Minded

08 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Amy Knupp, Book Review, Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, Single-Minded

Single-Minded

Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake #4

by Amy Knupp

Blurb:

Single-minded focus can get you far in business. In love? Not so much… 

PRESLEY

Giving up my soul-sucking career and moving to a small town was supposed to simplify my life.

It didn’t. 

Because relaxing isn’t as easy as I’d hoped it would be. Plus, the hot contractor in charge of my home reno is all kinds of distracting.

Especially when he’s so determined to keep our relationship strictly professional…

WEST

As a single dad with a military background, I’d seen it all. So, I was prepared for anything life could throw at me .

Until her. 

Presley Holiday is so perfect she almost makes me forget that sleeping with a client is forbidden. 

But I can’t afford to make another mistake when it comes to love. Keeping our relationship platonic is the right thing to do.

Too bad doing the right thing has zero appeal when it comes to Presley…

Single-Minded, book 4 in the Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series, is a spicy, small town, opposites attract contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone. Download today and get ready for perfect romantic escapism in Dragonfly Lake.

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/amyknupp-singleminded/

*****

Review:

Presley is new to Dragonfly Lake, moving after leaving the life she’d spent years creating, one that included very little more than her job. But the people of her new town welcome her with open arms, helping her make new friends and figure out what her new life is going to look like. Which includes work being done by one very sexy contractor.

With an abusive dad and an all encompassing job, Presley hasn’t had any good examples of healthy relationship. And now, with her life upended and her future unclear, isn’t the best time to find herself drawn to a man. But it’s not a surprise that Presley falls for West. He’s rough on the outside but a big ole softy on the inside, especially when it comes to his adorable daughters. He’s hardworking, dedicated, and caring. And good with his hands πŸ˜‰

Knupp’s latest from Dragonfly Lake is all about the slow burn, small town feels. West & Presley have an instant attraction but it’s the time spent together during her renovations that creates something deeper between them. Neither is looking for a relationship … but that doesn’t stop love from finding them.

(This is my first book set in Dragonfly Lake and while there are a lot of characters, and I occasionally I felt lost about how they were related to each other or their histories, it can pretty much stand on its own.)

*****

Author Info:

Amy Knupp is a USA Today Best-Selling Author of five contemporary romance series (Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake, Henry Brothers, North Brothers, Hale Street, Island Fire). She loves words and grammar and meaty, engrossing stories with complex characters.

Amy lives in Wisconsin with her husband and has two children, three cats, and a box turtle. She graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in French and journalism. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, breaking up cat fights, watching college hoops, and annoying her family by correcting their grammar.

Connect with Amy Knupp:

https://www.amyknuppbooks.com/pages/links

~

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Review – Flirting with Trouble

06 Wednesday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Flirting with Trouble, Melissa Foster, The Silvers at Silver Island series

Flirting with Trouble: Wells Silver

The Silvers at Silver Island #1

by Melissa Foster

Blurb:

Forgetting playboy Wells Silver was supposed to be easy. If only he didn’t make it impossible. Secrets are made on the sandy shores and in the sweet small towns of Silver Island, where friendships run deep, passions run hot, and the sexy Silvers are considered island royalty. Love in Bloom novels are written to stand alone and may also be enjoyed as part of the larger series, so dive right in and devour this fun, steamy romance.

Being born into the Silver empire comes with certain expectations, but charming restaurant owner Wells Silver has always taken pleasure in breaking the rulesβ€”in his personal and his professional life.

Victoria Braden never expected to become a widow at thirty-two, much less still be trying to figure out how to move on five years later. She’d planned to drown her sorrows in alcohol on what would have been her anniversary, not flirt with trouble and lose herself in a night of passion with Silver Island royalty, playboy Wells Silver. Forgetting Wells was supposed to be easy. But apparently the pushy player didn’t get the memo.

BUY LINK:

https://melissafoster.com/books/flirting-with-trouble/

*****

Review:

Victory and Wells are fantastic together. He does so much to bring out a side to her that she has long ignored while she has him reevaluating what has been missing from his life. When they are together, they are playful and fun, something she seems to have been lacking since her husband’s death.

Unfortunately she’s still holding on to her old life and struggles with guilt at the idea of moving on. Wells is determined tho and works hard to break her out of the box she’s put herself in. It’s not all smooth going, and there is a lot of back & forth between them, but it is pretty low angst with no big third act blow up which I liked. We get growth, letting go, and moving to a new stage of life.

A mixture of lightheartedness and emotion and steam, Foster gives readers a delightful story for the first in her new series. Returning readers have been waiting to see Wells fall and will be happy to see some of their favorite couples again, along with a peek at who might be meeting their match soon.

(While it is technically a stand alone, I feel like their story actually started earlier and while we were given the low down on what happened during this book I think it really helped to have been there. It does give the feeling of kinda joining a story already in progress and while fun for returning readers I think that could be frustrating for some.)

*****

Author Info:

NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, and USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Download FREE first in series! www.MelissaFoster.com/LIBFree 

Never miss a release and get a FREE Braden/Remington short story! Sign up for Melissa’s newsletter: www.MelissaFoster.com/Newsletter 

Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summers, Bayside Summers, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, Tru Blue and the Whiskeys, the Wickeds, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are always family oriented. Perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy and blue-collar heroes and smart, sassy, and empowered heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance with no harsh language or explicit scenes under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa’s interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and enjoying beach life on Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” -NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” -NYT Bestseller Julie Kenner

“What sets Melissa Foster apart are her compelling characters who you care about… desperately. I dare you to read the first chapter and not be hooked.” NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose

“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

“Melissa Foster is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Fated For Love was amazing. It kind of reminds me of Jill Shalvis’ books and they are my benchmark for contemporary romance awesomeness.” –Books Like Breathing

Comments from Melissa:

I grew up in Maryland with my mother, a slew of wonderful brothers, and never a shortage of friends or pets. I am passionate about writing, reading, living healthy, and helping others do the same, and I enjoy just about anything outdoors (and anything chocolate!). I love to chat with readers and book clubs, and welcome your comments and suggestions. Feel free to email me. You can also catch me on Facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor.

Thanks for reading!

Connect with Melissa Foster:

https://melissafoster.com

~

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Review – He Falls First

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Colburn Brothers series, He Falls First, Jill Shalvis

He Falls First

Colburn Brothers #1

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

No one is going to convince her to fall in love again…

Ryder Colburn has his hands full running the family business and caring for the ailing father who’s a virtual stranger from the cold, heavy-handed man he used to be. He’s got zero free time for hobbies or women. Or so he thinks until one walks into his life… and the path of an oncoming car.

Ryder doesn’t mind playing the hero for the skittish, scarred chef Penny. Maybe it’s the secrets in her eyes or the scar on her chin. Whatever the reason, he’s compelled to get closer.

Penny’s learned her lesson and now she’s paying the price. That’s why she’s sharing a dilapidated house in a tiny California town with her feisty grandmother and tween brother living off the leftovers from her catering job. It’s a far cry from her dream life. But who needs dreams… or love… or sex when there’s amateur plumbing projects to tackle and breakfast casseroles to bake?

One thing’s for sure, she’s never falling in love again. Not even with the sexy, snarky contractor who keeps testing the walls she’s built.

*****

Review:

These two are absolutely adorable together. I loved Penny’s sass and Ryder’s calm competence and the way they play off each other so well as he romances her within her comfort zone. It’s just the sweetest and made my heart go all squishy. Both of them have issues to deal with stemming from someone abusive and it’s his experiences that help him woo her.

Maybe there could have been more to address Ryder’s relationship with his father and the scars that an abusive childhood can leave, buuuut there are 3 more Colburn siblings so I’m going to hope that we get more as the series continues. And I definitely am looking forward to what comes next with this family of loud, big personalities with hearts just as big.

He Falls First has moments of humor and fun but also vulnerability, hurt, and loss. There is so much charm in these families/friends as they provide support, love, and the occasional push when it’s needed. I gotta say, Shalvis always knows how to reel me in – by giving me entertaining, lovable, real characters. And in this case a cursing parrot … πŸ˜†

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies filled with madcap adventures and shenanigans and sexy times. (just don’t tell her mom). She’s sold 20 million plus copies worldwide to date and lives with her family in a small mountain town near Lake Tahoe full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental).

Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning novels wherever books are sold. Visit http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and fun blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:
https://www.tiktok.com/@jillshalvis
http://instagram.com/jillshalvis
http://facebook.com/JillShalvis

~

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Review – 12 Dates of Christmas

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

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12 Dates of Christmas, Audiobook Review, Book Review, Brigham Vaughn, Christmas Falls Season 2, Christmas Falls series

12 Dates of Christmas

Christmas Falls Season 2 #3

by Brigham Vaughn

Blurb:

Leo Fenner needs a Christmas miracle …

Charmed by the small town, and weary the big city dating scene, Leo moved to Christmas Falls in hopes of finding love like his college friend, Hayden.

Nick Morgan had the love of his life and lost her, but is determined to help others find their happily ever after with his matchmaking service.

His website needs work though, and Leo is just the man for the job.

The web developer signs up for Nick’s matchmaking service to get a feel for what the process is like, all while secretly hoping it’ll bring him the love of his dreams.

But as Nick and Leo work together, the sparks between them are impossible to ignore.

Too bad there’s a few little problems.

For one, Nick’s never fallen for a man before. And, oh yeahβ€”those dates he’s planning for Leo? They’re supposed to be with other guys …

Christmas Season 2 revisits a small town that thrives on enough holiday charm to rival any Hallmark movie. It’s a multi-author M/M romance series.

Content Warning: This book contains scenes discussing the unexpected death of a spouse, grief, and moving on.

*****

Review:

I was super excited to see that Hayden’s friend, Leo, got his own book and I really liked him as a character. He’s a romantic and so upbeat & happy – well, most of the time. He’s really struggling to find his person, which is one of the reasons he moved to Christmas Falls. Nick also really loves how Leo finds the good in just about everything, even facing his bad dates with humor.

Nick on the other hand is a bit more sedate and while he loves love, after the death of his wife he is settling for finding everyone else The One. And then Leo bursts into his life. I liked that while Leo may have had a crush on Nick pretty much right away that it took Nick a little longer. He might be clueless and need a little help (and screws up a bit) he does get there but that made it more realistic for me. I also appreciated that Vaughn made him bisexual as opposed to a bi-awakening. Not that I don’t love those too, but here the growth is Nick letting go of his past relationship and moving into a new one.

12 Dates is sweet, with a few moments of spice. A slow burn burn with warmth, humor (I actually laughed out loud listening to it), and lots of holiday cheer. And just like with Scrooge You, James Edward Jones has a great voice to be reading such a feel good holiday treat.

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Spotlight – Rematch

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Marci Carr, Rematch, Stingrays Hockey series

Rematch

Stingrays Hockey series

by Marci Carr

Blurb:

One night, one kiss, and a spark hot enough to melt the ice.

Preston’s all in on his hockey career as a Stingray, and Chelsea’s just about to start a new adventure in Parisβ€”until an unforgettable night at an Ugly Christmas Sweater party changes everything. A few drinks, some dirty jokes, and a kiss under the mistletoe leads to a night of toe-curling, name-forgetting, no-strings-attached fun.

They part ways in the morning, no regretsβ€”just a sizzling memory they both assume will fade.

A year later, Chelsea’s in Baltimore, launching her dream bakeryβ€”and navigating life with a baby she never saw coming. The father? Mystery man from that one unforgettable night. What she really didn’t expect? Him walking through her door, very real, very sexy… and very much still capable of making her forget how to breathe.

Preston hasn’t been able to get her out of his head. Now that he knows the truth, he’s not going anywhere. The question isβ€”can they turn one accidental night into a real shot at forever?

Buy Link:

https://maricarr.com/rematch/

*****

Author Info:

Virginia native Mari Carr is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller of contemporary sexy romance and romantic suspense novels. With over two million copies of her books sold, Mari was the winner of the Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Plume award for her novella, Erotic Research. She has over a hundred published works, including her popular Wild Irish and Compass books, along with the Trinity Masters series she writes with Lila Dubois.

Connect with Mari Carr:Β 

https://maricarr.com

~

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Spotlight – Make Me Yours

01 Friday Aug 2025

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Chicago Railers Hockey series, Jennifer Sucevic, Make Me Yours

Make Me Yours

Chicago Railers Hockey Series

by Jennifer Sucevic

Blurb:

Steele Sanderson has always been my safe place.
My best friend.
My constant.
My person.
So when I walk in on my boyfriendβ€”who also happens to be my bossβ€”screwing a colleague on his desk, it’s Steele who picks up the pieces.

Now I’m living in his penthouse, crashing in his guest room, and working as his assistant while I figure out what’s next. Every day, I tell myself this is temporary. That just because he looks at me like I already belong to him doesn’t mean I actually do.

Except… Steele doesn’t see it that way.
To him, I’ve always been his.
The only one he’s ever wanted.
The only one he’s ever loved.
He’s protective.
Possessive.
And done waiting.

I keep telling myself that crossing the line could ruin everythingβ€”that risking our friendship isn’t worth it. But when he offers a friends-with-benefits arrangement, promising to give me everything I’ve secretly craved, how can I possibly say no?
It doesn’t take long for the lines between us to blur.

Now I have to decideβ€”keep pretending nothing’s changed or finally give in to the man who’s been right in front of me all along.

Make Me Yours is a swoony, boy-obsessed, friends-to-lovers steamy romance with close proximity, undeniable tension, and a hero who has always been all in. It’s the first book in the Chicago Railers series and can be read as a standalone.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4mTgOr0

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/438v1sn

*****

Author Info:

Jennifer is the USA Today Bestselling Author of King of Campus. She currently resides in Michigan with her husband, kids, a dog named Rocky, and a kitten named Lily. After pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology also from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, she spent five years working as a high school counselor before moving out of state with her family. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. Please contact Jennifer at jmolitor6@hotmail.com. Connect with Jennifer on facebook-Β https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.suc…Β or check her out on Wattpad-Β https://www.wattpad.com/user/jsucevic. Jennifer can also be found on Tumblr at jsucevic (inspiration board).

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Spotlight – Playing for Keeps

31 Thursday Jul 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Dakotah Fox, Playing for Keeps, Seattle Hawks Ice Hockey series

Playing for Keeps

Seattle Hawks Ice Hockey, Book 4

by Dakotah Fox

Blurb:

JAY

One night in a bar when I met the most beautiful woman

Where we danced soft and slow, her body close to mine 

I had no idea who she was. We thought we were strangers…

Until the spell was broken and I realized she’s my best friend’s little sister

Jade Jones…

She saw me at my darkest hour all those years ago

And she never ran away

Now we’re meeting again in Vegas for her brother’s wedding

And the embers between us burn brighter than ever 

I never knew it could be like this

It scares me if I’m even worthy of her love

But she chases the demons away, demons I thought were long gone 

When I’m with her, I can’t deny it, we’re breaking all the rules 

And what happens in Vegas may just not want to stay there 

JADE

Seeing my brother’s best friend again was a shock

He’s a hockey star now, with that boyish charm and sexy smile 

But I’m cautious, I’ve been hurt before

I made it clear I won’t date a hockey player 

And he’s a notorious ladies’ man of the ice

It’s just the way he is, at least, until now

I’m in Seattle trying to get my life together

Quitting my job for a chance at my passion 

But there’s one thing I can’t get out of my mind

Jay Jefferson…

And my brother’s wedding is looming 

I’m the maid of honor, Jay’s the best man 

We can’t deny the attraction anymore

Our Vegas weekend quickly turns to passion 

And the lines we blurred may just be the ones to save us 

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/PlayingForKeepsBook4

Available in KUΒ 

*****

Author Info:

Dakotah Fox is a new author of contemporary and small-town romance. She enjoys walking and hiking with her pups, finding new tea haunts, and is a qualified yoga instructor.

When she’s not writing she enjoys finding a good book to curl up with, loves watching Beauty and the Geek and is the Queen of planning. You can find her living a quiet, fulfilled life in Western Australia’s Northwest with her beloved doggies.

Connect with Dakotah Fox:

https://linktr.ee/dakotahfox

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Review – Biggest Player

30 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Biggest Player, Book Review, Not Yours series, Sara Ney

Bestselling author Sara Ney scores with a fiery romance about online dating, where a single mom and a football pro ignite sparks when they swipe rightβ€”even though they know it’s all wrong.

Biggest Player

Not Yours #2

by Sara Ney

Blurb:

Margot’s a busy single mom juggling teaching, parenting, and trying not to die alone. Dating apps? Total nightmare. But desperate times call for desperate swipes, even if they make her break out in stress hives. When she matches with a guy who looks too good to be true, she’s convinced he’s a walking red flagβ€”or worseβ€”a catfish.

Dex is hot, and he knows it. A quarterback with a killer smile and looks to spare, he’s a good guy looking for a long-term relationship. He wants what his friends have: someone to come home to…and if they’re naked when he gets there, even better. When he logs on for a casual scroll, he’s not expecting to meet her. One swipe, and suddenly he’s hooked.

Margot’s convinced he’s a catfish. Dex has zero dad bod and no dad energy. But their sizzling back-and-forth leaves them both thinking β€œwhat if.” After a surprise run-in leads to a mind-blowing (and soggy AF) kiss, their opposites-attract energy skyrockets. Can they find a way to make it last?

Buy Link:

https://books2read.com/BiggestPlayerSNKU

Available in KU

*****

Review:

I’m so torn on this one. I was amused by the text interactions between Dex & Margot. They are funny and I can actually see them bantering like that together. I also loved Wyatt and her precocious interactions with people, especially Dex.

I think the biggest issue is that Ney kinda struggled with Dex as a character. He comes across as a big, dumb dog – he’s playful & fun but sometimes not all that bright and really makes a mess of things occasionally. Buuuut he’s also 25, hasn’t really been in an adult relationship, and has been catered to for years. He’s young & dumb & proud so … *shrug*

Margot shows a lot of patience with him and he does have redeeming moments. To me, he’s genuine in his feelings for her & his responsibility for what happens, but I can see why readers want more from him. Especially at the end. I can also see, tho, why he’s appealing to her. Yeah he’s hot & rich but he’s also enthusiastic about things, fun to be around, and is attentive.

I think part of the issue is that Margot is a single mom, a little older, and seems to have her stuff together. And Dex is her complete opposite. He’s reaching a point where he wants to grow up a bit and get involved with someone for real, I think he just needs time πŸ™‚ Overall, Biggest Player is fun and flirty, you just need to be good with some pretty big moments where you want to smack Dex or sit him down for a talking to.

(Standalone story in a series.)

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Review – Over the Moon

29 Tuesday Jul 2025

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Book Review, Laura Pavlov, Over the Moon, Rosewood River series

A Small Town, Hockey, Forbidden, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.

Over the Moon

Rosewood River series

by Laura Pavlov

Blurb:

Hockey is my first love. And I’m coming offΒ theΒ best season of my life.

InΒ theΒ process of scoringΒ theΒ winning goal that gave usΒ theΒ Stanley Cup I tore my MCL, and I’ll need to spendΒ theΒ next few months recovering.

Eloise Gable,Β theΒ team’s new physical therapist, has been sent to Rosewood River to help me heal and get me ready forΒ theΒ new season.

Yet, she doesn’t seem all too happy aboutΒ theΒ situation.

In fact, she can’t stand me most days.

It doesn’t stop me from staring at her any chance I get.

She’s beautiful and brilliant, but she’s got her guard upΒ theΒ minute I get close.

Eloise is a distraction I wasn’t prepared for.

Did I mention that she’s also my coach’s daughter?

But after a long run together inΒ theΒ summer heat, our built up tension snapped.

We end up stripping down and jumping inΒ theΒ river.

It seemed likeΒ theΒ logical thing atΒ theΒ time.

TheΒ problem is, Eloise Gable is completely off limits.

But I’m a professional hockey player, and in my world, limits were meant to be pushed.

Hockey may be my first love, but after falling for my coach’s daughterβ€”it’s definitely not my last.

Download today or read for FREE with #kindleunlimited

https://geni.us/overthemoon1

Paperback: https://geni.us/OvertheMoonPB

Audible: https://bit.ly/4lFEjTc

Hardcover: Coming Soon!

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4hK7dyX 

*****

Review:

**minor spoilers**

Is this a hockey romance? Probably not enough for those looking for one. Is it a romance involving a hockey player? Yes, indeed, and one where when he finally falls he falls hard. Not that he was a player, more just one that didn’t have serious relationships. But his momma taught him right and he proves himself to be supportive & caring.

While the first part is all sorts of fun & flirty & slowly falling in love, once they get home there are complications with the team. While we pretty much know how things are going to play out, telegraphed well in advance, it still works for me. And when their secret is revealed some people prove themselves to be good eggs and some are very, very definitely rotten.

Seeing Clark in his element, both in his hometown and at the arena, is great and Eloise fits in perfectly. The friendship that develops between her and the girls is sweet, especially the way they (along with Clark) support her when she needs it. I love the Chadwicks. They are quirky and funny and full of big personalities, and the way the family opens their arms and embraces everyone brings all the feels. I enjoy coming back to them time & again.

(There are a few moments with Bridger, who is the hero for the next story, where he crosses a line into bullying. He’s got a backstory there that is interesting and I’m going to trust Pavlov to bring a good story but it may be difficult for some.)

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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.

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