Itโs been twelve years since I last saw Scottie Rucker. A grim prognosis has upended my life, and no amount of my hard-earned money can fix it. So, after leaving a note on the nightstand, I search for my first loveโI search for life.
When I find her in Austin, working at a quaint general store and living in an RV behind it, those twelve years vanish. Sheโs exactly how I remember her.
Scottie thinks our reunion is a small-world coincidence, and Iโm not ready to tell her the truth. After we rekindle our friendship, she convinces me to work part-time at the store while she pursues her budding relationship with Koen, a welder and the grandson of a customer.
Scottieโs ability to live in the moment is exactly what I need. But how do I convince her new boyfriend that Iโm not his competition? And what happens if my heart changes its mind?
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Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she’s not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance.
Chelle Bliss is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of Men of Inked Series and Misadventures of a City Girl.
She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, coffee fiend, ex-high school history teacher, and currently lives near the beach even though she hates sand. Chelle loves spending time with her two cats, alpha boyfriend, and chatting with readers.
But when real feelings spark, will my real wounds destroy us?
EVAN:
Iโve been managing Calypso Key Resort, our family beachside retreat in the Florida Keys, for so long I can do it in my sleepโwhich isnโt what keeps me up at night. That honor goes to Liv Jacobson, the gorgeous, curvy bakery owner Iโm too shy to approach. Past wounds cut deep and Iโm a shadow of the man I once was.
But when fate engulfs her bakery, I offer her a refuge. And an opportunity to get to know her better. When I spin a panicked tale of needing a fake relationship, Liv shocks me further by playing along.
Every shared secret, every pretend kiss kindles a blaze that becomes dangerously real. But when my unresolved past explodes, I push everyone away, including Liv. How could a fake relationship have turned so real?
Because now, it’s no longer a gameโit’s our shot at forever.
I really like Evan and Liv. They work well together – caring, giving, and kind. Evan helps Liv step a little out of her comfort zone and try new things. He is also good at helping her feel good in her body, finding herself as sexy as he does. While Liv helps Evan remember that he’s a worthy man as he is now. One who is an integral part of his family, their business, and the community.
Of course, his issues cause trouble between the two but after a big push from his family & Liv and a bit of self-discovery (I wish it had included professional counseling), he starts to recognize how his attitude is impacting his world. While it isn’t completely resolved by the end of the book, there is still an opportunity in a future book so maybe Brockus is holding on to that. Oh, and the epilogue is perfect for these two.
**some minor spoilers ahead**
I did struggle a bit, though, with Evan’s issues. It’s been 13 years! And they were kids! I get that he lost a lot of what he expected to be. And that it was painful and took a while. But I don’t understand why his family let him continue like that for so long. I could understand if it had only been a few years but over a decade? and the man is in his 30s … it should have been addressed well before this point. This is my first by this author so maybe this came up before, I don’t know. But it bothered me. I kept reading because I loved these two together AND because I hoped that there would be an explanation. There wasn’t. And there wasn’t a good resolution? I seem the only one that seems to mind it though so take from that what you will.
(Part of a series, can be read on its own, but I felt like I missed a couple of references by not having read previous stories. Minor but they exist and may bother some.)
*****
Author Info:
Dive Into a Tropical Romantic Escape!
Erin Brockus writes steamy small town romances that transport readers to exotic, tropical destinations, and provide a perfect beachy getaway from everyday life. Her mature, relatable characters are impossible not to root for, and she weaves breezy romantic adventure into her stories, emphasizing scuba diving and the ocean.
Drawing on her twin passions for diving and travel, Erin infuses her characters and narratives with a sense of excitement and passion. Her idea of the perfect day involves sipping a cocktail on the beach after exploring the ocean depths.
Erin lives in Washington wine country with her husband, who is also a scuba instructor. She is currently hard at work on her next island adventure. When she’s not writing, you might find her out for a run or cycling through the countryside on the next quest for adventure.
Her betrothed cheated on her. The duke offers to save her. Can a marriage of convenience turn into true love?
In this steamy historical romance, a sheltered baronโs daughter and a celebrated duke agree on a marriage of convenience, but he has a secret that may ruin it all.
She is desperate to escape โฆ
When Miss Annabel Ridley learns her betrothed has been unfaithful, she knows she must cancel the wedding. The problem is no one else seems to agree with her, least of all her father. With her wedding day approaching, she must find a way to escape her doomed marriage. She seeks out the Duke of Halmesbury to request he intercede with her rakish betrothed to break it off before the wedding day.
He is ready to try again โฆ
Widower Philip Markham has decided it is time to search for a new wife. He hopes to find a bold bride to avoid the mistakes of his past. Fate seems to be favoring him when he finds a captivating young woman in his study begging for his help to disengage from a despised figure from his past. He astonishes her with a proposal of his ownโa marriage of convenience to suit them both. If she accepts, he resolves to never reveal the truth of his past lest it ruin their chances of possibly finding love.
The Duke Wins a Bride is the delightful first book in the Inconvenient Brides series of steamy Regency romance books. If you like worthy heroes, strong heroines, fast-paced plots, and enduring connections, then youโll adore Nina Jarrettโs charming novel. Can be read as a standalone book.
Overall I liked The Duke Wins a Bride. The characters are interesting, with Philip’s issue with his dead wife and Annabel’s family dynamic. (I’m assuming that there will be more of Annabel’s brother – or at least I hope so. He’s got the potential for a story of his own and I’d love to see more of what he’s been through.) They struggle with their baggage complicating their relationship as they work to get to know each other better. Just when it feels like they are taking steps forward, miscommunication or a past hurt rears its head and they lose a little ground.
Which means, of course, there is a lot of angst in this book. I, and Philip, love how spunky Annabel is. She’s willing to take chances and fight for what she wants. But she’s also very young and struggles with moments of self doubt thanks to her father and brother. It leads to a lot of ups and downs – literally one chapter will end with her feelings of optimism and the next will start with doubts. (There are also a few times when she seems a bit … forward for a new, young bride in a historical romance. It leads to some quite steamy scenes but seems a little off for the time period.)
Philip also struggles, especially with how he views his relationship with women. His last wife’s actions have him second guessing a lot of his interactions with Annabel, creating more ups and downs for them individually and as a couple.
The Duke Wins a Bride won’t be for everyone but I enjoyed it. It’s got a good blend of spiciness and drama, with a satisfying HEA (and hopefully at least two follow up stories).
Heads up – the writing is a little flowery, which I think is a little more acceptable in historical romances than contemporary ones, but it is a bit heavy handed here and there. I don’t mind it but I know that it does bother some. Also, apparently but I don’t know enough to confirm, there are anachronisms but … again, don’t know enough so it didn’t bother me.
*****
Author Info:
Regency writer, retired Inc. 500 sales coach, former director of a drug rehabilitation center, and Amazon bestselling author of the Inconvenient Brides series.
Nina started writing her own stories in elementary school but quickly grew distracted when she finished school and moved on to non-profit work with recovering drug addicts. There she worked with people from every walk of life, from privileged neighborhoods to the shantytowns of urban and rural South Africa.
One day, she met a real-life romantic hero. She instantly married her fellow bibliophile and moved to the USA, where she enjoyed a career as a sales coaching executive at an Inc 500 company. She currently lives with her husband on the Florida Gulf Coast.
Nina believes in kindness and the indomitable power of the human spirit. She is fascinated by the amazing, funny people she has met across the world who dared to change their lives. She likes to tell mischievous tales of life-changing decisions and character transformations while drinking excellent coffee and avoiding cookies.
Iโve been in love with my best friend and roommate since the first day of boarding school over a decade ago. But Preston has always been oblivious, obsessed with his PhD research, and more importantly, straight.
When the new, sexy grad student walks into my gym, I have to wonderโฆ is it time for me to move on?
Preston
Some guy is trying to steal my best friend. I wonโt let him. Sawyerโs mine.
Maybe I havenโt appreciated Sawyer enough over the years, but thatโs going to change now. Iโll do whatever it takes to keep him by my side. Even if it means kissing him.
Stacked is a best friends-to-lovers, bi-awakening, nerd/jock MM romance between possessive, protective, and co-dependent roommates. Expect the most tender caretaking, slipping into each otherโs beds in the middle of the night, and adorable clinginess. It is the second book in the Mars Fitness series and can be read as a standalone.
I’ll be honest, love triangles are just not my thing. I think that’s a really important CW for this one because Sawyer does have a relationship – romantic and sexual – with someone else. He does it with good intentions, believing that Preston will never return his feelings, but it’s still a thing. Do they handle it the best way? No. But it seems pretty realistic all things considered.
Sawyer is a genuinely nice guy – kind, considerate, and giving. I’m not sure I quite understand his attraction to Preston but the heart is a force unto itself ๐ Not to say he doesn’t do some stupid things, but I think he means well.
Preston is a bit self-absorbed and quite clueless on just about everything because he’s been cared for by others pretty much all his life. He’s neurodivergent at least and likely somewhere on the aromantic/asexual scale. But getting his side of things, I kinda like him. I’m not sure why, maybe because Sawyer does, but while he’s problematic I also found myself rooting for them.
I feel like Bell does a good job of handling the changing dynamic of Preston & Sawyer’s relationship. Preston struggles with even normal human interactions but throwing in new sexual & romantic feelings for his best friend is huge. With Sawyer’s help, he eventually figures things out. And while I was happy they got their HEA, I hope that Bell has something in mind for Fitz because he definitely deserves better than he got.
Owen Doyleโs rough beginnings taught him not to form attachments, yet heโs drawn to Tyler Booth like a magnet. Their relationship has blossomed from strangers to best friends, with each twist in the journey weaving their connection tighter. But Owen has a six-year secret thatโs become unbearably painful to keep. As the seams of his resistance fray, Owen will lean into a new mentoring opportunity to keep from ruining the best thing in his life.
Tyler will never regret going to jail and getting sober because meeting Owen saved his life and taught him how to trust again. Their inseparable bond has earned much teasing over the years, but Tyler doesnโt recognize himself without Owen. When he senses a yawning chasm between them, heโll turn to mutual friends for help. Their well-meaning advice opens Tylerโs eyes to unexplored possibilities and will snap missing puzzle pieces into place.
Some hopes are too big to stifle, and some truths are too big to ignore. A photo booth, smoking-hot kisses, and honest revelations will take Owen and Tylerโs intimacy to a whole new level. But before they can achieve their happily ever after, they must unload the baggage from their pasts. Will the road to discovery guide them to the necessary healing, or are the guys destined for the highway to heartache?
Friends Like Them is book four in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Friends Like Them contains mature themes and is intended for adults.
โTy, I want to get pictures with you in the booth.โ Owenโs voice was soft, but his suggestion landed like a bomb. That tiny, cramped space wasnโt big enough. One would have to practically sit on the otherโs lap. Tylerโs mind didnโt need additional encouragement to replay the earlier fantasy.
โTy.โ Owenโs voice was more urgent as he stepped beside him. โAre you okay?โ
No, he wasnโt, but an honest answer would only invite additional questions he wanted to avoid. Tyler forced a smile and said, โYeah. Iโm great. Letโs go take pictures.โ
Owen responded with an excited whoop before he bounded out of the kitchen. Tyler dried his hands and trailed behind him at a more sedate space so he could coach his body and brain into remaining calm. It felt like every pair of eyes was on them as they made their way toward the booth, which looked even smaller up close. Owen reached for the door just as it swung open. Finley and Kieran stumbled out with mussed hair, swollen lips, and strips of photos in their hands. Clearly, the couples used the cramped space to suck face instead of smiling for the camera. Tylerโs heart skipped a beat before galloping like a racehorse.
โItโs all yours, fellas,โ Fin said with a sweeping gesture.
Kieran winked at them as they passed by, and Tyler reexperienced the sensation he was the last to figure things out.
*****
Review:
Owen and Tyler have been inseparable since they met in prison. They’ve pretty much been two halves of a whole and we’ve just been waiting for them to finally realize that they were meant to be something more. They’ve always been supportive of each other so it’s a pretty easy transition to a loving, romantic relationship. While there wasn’t a lot of drama in the change, I loved this opportunity to understand their histories and how they got to this point.
I don’t know how Walker keeps giving us such great couples. I saw a few reviews that complained that not much happened or that there wasn’t a lot of angst. Maybe it’s because there was a lot of expectation about what would happen because it’s been hinted at in the previous stories. What we get is a smooth shift from friends to lovers and I’m all for it – I absolutely loved these two together.
*****
Author Info:
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titlesโwife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.
Want to be the first to know about my book releases and have access to extra content? You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dlhPYj
My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimeeโs Dye Hards? Weโd love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/
Kieran Sullivan is broken when he arrives at Redemption Ridge. A wrongful conviction and twenty months in lockup will do that to a man. The ranch is a place for second chances and fresh starts, but for him, itโs an opportunity to discover who set him up. Get in, get answers, and get out. The plan sounds easy enough until Kieran meets an equine specialist whose sunny smile could warm the coldest heart.
Finley Ashe is a sucker for bruised spirits and sad eyes. The horse whisperer and broken-boy magnet is six months into a hiatus from love when Kieran, the king of emotionally unavailable men, gets assigned to work under his supervision. Mutual attraction is gasoline on proximityโs flame, testing Finleyโs resistance in new ways.
Priorities shift, shields come down, and truths get exposed. Will the inevitable combustion redeem Kieran and Finley or consume them?
Guys Like Him is book one in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Guys Like Him contains mature themes and is intended for adults.
From USA Today and Amazon Bestselling Author Bella Matthews comes a hot new hockey romance between a broken ballerina and the forbidden bad boy who saves her.
The Knockout
by Bella Matthews
Blurb:
We all have dirty secrets. Some are just more fun to hide than others.
Ares Wilder is a so-called bad boy. A ladies man. The teammate most likely to fight both on and off the ice. And now this devastatingly dark and handsome hockey player with a sinful smile and a filthy mouth is my twin sisterโs new brother-in-law, landing him firmly in the forbidden category.
Only he doesnโt see it that way.
Resisting him should be no big deal, right?
At least thatโs what I thoughtโฆ
Until one night, he manages to look past the illusion Iโd spent a lifetime perfecting and see the broken girl behind the pink satin pointe shoes.
We were the perfect storm I never wanted to escape.
But with secrets piling up and my world crashing down, will Ares be one more thing I destroy?
Bella Matthews is a USA Today & Amazon Top 50 Bestselling author. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines. Sarcasm is her love language and big family dynamics are her favorite thing to add to each story.
From Author Kimberly Readnour comes a fake dating sports romance in the anticipated new Cessna U Hockey series! This new, star player, ordinary girl, college hockey romance leaves you laughing while sizzling the pages. Because we all know that when it comes to the charade of hearts, love scores the winning goal.
Deke Me
Cessna U Hockey, Book One
by Kimberly Readnour
Blurb:
My life is a mess. The last thing I have time for is to fake date Blake Morton, the arrogantly charming captain of the hockey team. But with my grandmotherโs looming rent and a paycheck thatโs playing hide and seek, I have little choice but to accept Blakeโs bizarre proposition: pretend to be his girlfriend.
The deal is simpleโno strings attached, just play the part and collect the payment. Easy, right?
Wrong. Emotions donโt play by the rules, especially when youโre teamed up with someone whoโs supposed to be nothing more than an arrangement.
I come from a world where every penny counts, while Blake has everythingโa sizable trust fund and effortless talent. Yet, as our charade deepens, so do the glimpses of vulnerability behind his perfect facade, and the more I fall for the real Blake.
My job was to fend off distractors, not become one. As lines between reality and make-believe blur, Iโm left questioning: Can my feelings withstand the ultimate test, or will they prove to be the most compelling distraction of all?
Readnour could easily have leaned too heavily on the rich boy/poor girl dynamic here but she does a good job of balancing it. Blake may be privileged but he isn’t snobby and has several moments of recognizing his good fortune, as well as understanding Amanda’s perspective and her pride. Finding himself drawn to her strength and spirit, he soon wants more than a few fake dates.
Amanda has worked hard to get where she is and doesn’t really have a lot of time for Blake or his troubles. But her big heart doesn’t let her just leave him struggling. One good deed quickly leads to another and before she knows it she’s more involved than she expected.
It’s not all smooth sailing. There are mean girl moments and family drama, as well as doubts about what the other is feeling – it did start with a fake date, after all. But they actually, and somewhat surprisingly, talk to each other pretty darn well. It’s refreshing that Readnour didn’t go that route (of course, they have enough troubles without miscommunication being one of them).
This is the first book by this author that I’ve read and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Her writing is easy, her characters are enjoyable, and the story has the right amount of angst & heat. The pacing was perfect too – the beginning is a quick introduction to the characters with a lead up to their agreement, it doesn’t take all that long for them to start to realize that things may not be as fake as they thought, and then we move into their issues on their way to a HEA. I did feel like I’d have liked a little more about where they go next but I’m hoping since it is the beginning of a series we get a bit more of their relationship as we move through the rest of the stories. Which I’m definitely looking forward to reading ๐
*****
Author Info:
Kimberly Readnour lives in the Midwest with her husband and a very snuggly cat.
Having a true passion for romance and HEA’s, she took the leap from the young adult genre to romance and never looked back.
Kimberly worked as a Registered Nurse for fifteen years before hanging up her stethoscope. When she isn’t running her own business, you can find her tucked away writing.
From New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster comes The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch, a small-town, big-family series of standalone romance novels featuring fiercely loyal, insanely sexy bikers who give horsesโand peopleโa second chance. Buckle up for a wild ride in Hope Ridge, Colorado, as these big-hearted badasses and their sassy sisters wrangle in their forever loves. No cliffhangers, no cheating, and always a happily ever after.
A Taste of Whiskey
The Whiskeys: Dark Knights at Redemption Ranch
by Melissa Foster
Releasing April 10, 2024
World Literary Press
Blurb:
Sasha Whiskey is done with always doing the right thing. Sheโs ready to wrangle in the one man not looking to be caught, and give him a taste of Whiskey. With any luck, one taste wonโt be nearly enough. Come along for the steamy, emotional ride in this friends-to-lovers, forbidden romance.
Equine rehabilitation therapist Sasha Whiskey has everything she needs right there on Redemption Ranchโa job sheโs passionate about, a loving family, and Ezra Moore, the sexy single father who went from trying to nail her as a belligerent teen to keeping his distance as a successful therapist and the person to whom she compares every other man. Sheโs done with comparisons. She wants the real thing. But going after what she wants means risking everything theyโve both worked so hard to achieve. If only dating co-workers werenโt forbidden.
If you’ve read any of the Dark Knight’s stories you know exactly what you are going to get – fiesty, strong women and the big-hearted men who love them. I like that Ezra isn’t quite as much of a borderline alphahole as some of them can be. He cares deeply for Gus, Sasha, and everyone else in his found family. Thanks to some scars left over from his own childhood, he does everything to show them love, care, and attention. But he’s got a little bit of the devil in him too when it matters ๐
Sasha, like all Whiskeys, is all huge heart and spirit. She’s in deep with Ezra and his adorable son but, believing it can never be more, she’s tried hard to move on … which is going about as well as can be expected. Full on respect to her for being willing to give it one more shot to get what she really wants. There’s a lot at stake for both of them but it could be worth everything!
I loved this chance to see Sasha & Ezra figure things out. We’ve known since day one that they belong together, they just had to finally take that plunge. Foster could easily have gone heavy-handed on a few different aspects of their story but she balances it perfectly. There’s a delightful mix of the will-they-won’t-they push & pull as they decide how much longer they can resist the feelings between them, followed delightfully by their exploration of this new aspect to their relationship. With a very Whiskey HEA ending, of course. Can’t wait to see what comes next!
(Part of a series, but I felt like this is one of the ones that more easily can stand alone. Of course, there’s so many characters that it’s nicer when you start from the beginning – and there are only a couple to catch up here – but some are more self-contained than others.)
*****
Author Info:
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling and award-winning 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.
Is it wrong for me to want the world to know Iโm in love with Patrick Griffin and have been since we were eight-years-old?
Patrick Griffin
I hurt him. I didnโt mean to.
Now heโs gone, and I deserve it.
As a linebacker in the NFL, I’ve never found the right time to come out of the closet. Not even when I promised Cole I would.
But now, with Cole’s band, Fallen Angel, in the spotlight along with my team, the pressure is mounting. Everyone thinks we’re just best friends, but the weight of my secret is tearing us apart.
And it just might be too late to save us when I can.
Cole Bradley
Is it wrong for me to want the world to know Iโm in love with Patrick Griffin and have been since we were eight-years-old?
He is the love of my life, but itโs been years of waiting and excuses.
All our friends, even his teammates, have a public life. So why canโt we?
He promised it would be different in Portland.
But then he tells yet another reporter heโs single. I need a break. Itโs perfect timing since our band is heading out on tour.
I donโt know if I can live without him. But I donโt think I can do forever in the closet.
Itโs always been Patrick for me, but is it too much to ask for the world to know heโs mine too?
The Linebacker is a secret romance and childhood best friends-to-lovers MM Romance. It is book two in the Portland Protectors-EHM Security Series and the eleventh book in the Package Deal World.
To maximize reader enjoyment, it is highly recommended to read the other books in the Package Deal Series, as well as book one, The Rockstar. Series reading order can be found at the beginning of each book.
Content Warning: Referenced off the page homophobic violence toward an off the page character, and an automobile accident.
The luxury suite in our high-rise hotel was dark as I stood looking out the window. The only light that crept in was from the lights shining over San Francisco. It had a magnificent view of the water during the day that was dark and moody now. It was really kind of prophetic.
I heard the door lock disengage in the silence as Patrick entered the room. The air stirred around him and brought the smell of his cologne and body wash to my nose. My heart throbbed at the thought of leaving him tomorrow, but I knew in my gut that it was what we needed if we had a hope of surviving.
Strong, warm arms wrapped around me and pulled me back into his chest. โBabe, why are you standing here in the dark?โ
There were so many things I wanted to say but chose not to. โJust looking at the city. Itโs really beautiful from up here.โ
I tilted my head to the side as Patrick placed kisses down the side of my neck and onto my shoulder. His familiar hardness pressed against my ass and made me long for him, even though I was standing right here, wrapped in his arms.
โI need you,โ he murmured against my skin. There was an unmistakable edge to his voice. His big hand went to my middle and held me in place against him.
โPatrick, we need to talk.โ I was fighting to keep my emotions down, but I knew I was going to lose.
He loosened his hold just enough to turn me around to face him. Warm caramel eyes met my blue ones as the smile slipped from his face.
โWhatโs wrong? You feeling okay?โ
I slipped from his arms and went to sit on the sofa. Patrick followed me, his handsome face now missing the smile I loved.
โWe need to talk about the tour.โ
Patrick unfolded his six-foot-five body from the sofa and got on his knees in front of me. He wedged himself between my thighs and took my face in his hands. Looking into them, he pulled my face to his.
โI know things are strained between us, but can we please have tonight to celebrate and just be you and me? Forget the world and everyone in it. Just me and you, like weโve always been.โ
โPatrick,โ I whispered, the emotion thick in my throat before he sealed his mouth over mine. His tongue slipped past my lips, and I sank into his warmth, wrapping my arms around him. I wanted to stay like this forever.
*****
Review:
When we were given a teaser of what happened between these two at the end of The RockstarI knew I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. As soon as it hit my Kindle, I dropped everything to read it. And it did not disappoint.
My heart broke when Cole had to make the decision to walk away. I understood why, what drove him to do something that would hurt them both so much, but it wasn’t easy. It was important, though, because it finally made Patrick address his choices and what he wanted going forward.
OK, so I did have to suspend belief just a little bit that Cole didn’t know why Patrick was so hesitant to come out. That being as close as they were for as long as they were, he didn’t know what happened. But once I let that go, I could appreciate the way that they addressed it and worked to move past it. There were serious considerations given to handling it in a healthy manner.
There are a lot of feels here, think big angst, which was to be expected. These two obviously love each other but sometimes that’s just not enough. And working their way back to a place where they can be together wasn’t going to be a quick fix. My hearts ached along with theirs as they face an uncertain future. And lifted when they finally found their way to a HEA.
While you can read this as a stand alone, it is probably better to have read the other books. There are a lot of couples amongst these friends and none of them had an easy path to their HEA ๐
*****
Author Info:
Emerson Beckett is an avid sports fan and lover of M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author. It gets even better when she can combine the two. Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series and The Portland Protectors: EHM Security Series with Rheland Richmond. The We Could Do This Duet is her first solo project.
Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 34 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance.
Emerson is now mom to an Australian Shepherd, four cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.โฉ
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.โฉ
Check out Book 1 in the Portland Protectors- EHM Security Series – The Rockstar – the first book in the sexy new bodyguard series set in the Package Deal World.
Adam Spencer โ โThe Rockstarโ
Hereโs what I know — some people arenโt meant to find love.
And as much as I want to be someoneโs everything, thatโs not meant for me.
After a painful breakup, I channeled all my hurt into a song that has skyrocketed my band, Fallen Angel, to the top of the charts.
Now I need protection from the one person who was supposed to love me no matter whatโmy mother.
Whether I want him or not, I now have a sexy, silver-tongued southern charmer as my 24/7 bodyguard.
Iโve tried not to fall for him, because I donโt do relationships. They hurt too much.
But Michael has me thinking I could take one more chance to find love.
Or was I meant to be alone like I thought all along?
Michael Coleman โ โPhantomโ
Iโve always been a protector. During my career as a Navy SEAL, my duty was to protect my four best friends.
Now I need to protect the sexy rock star I love flirting with every time he walks in the door to our EHM office.
Adam Spencer lights me up like no one ever has. And thatโs saying something.
Iโll do whatever it takes to protect him, even from himself.
Have I finally found the love Iโve been hoping for with the Rockstar?
The Rockstar is a flirty, friends-to-lovers, bodyguard and rockstar MM Romance that takes place in the Package Deal Series World. It can be read as a stand-alone book.
Trigger Warning: There is off the page reference to physical abuse to a minor. Off the page domestic violence and death of a mentioned character.
Romantic Reads and Such 