It was straight out of a rom-comโuntil two pink lines changed everything.
Zander Shaw is country musicโs hottest star. So, when he singled me out of a packed arena and had me pulled backstage, I shouldโve known I wasnโt his forever. One signed NDA later, I was sneaking onto his tour bus, wrapped up in his world, and him. But it ended before it really started when he ghosted me.
Then he shows up on my familyโs ranch to film his new music video, a surprise to us both. Now Iโm his appointed tour guide around the ranch, stuck sharing all my favorite places with the man who carelessly discarded me.
The more time we spend together, the harder it is to guard my heart because his flirty half-smile makes me forget my anger. But Zanderโs made it clear, heโs not looking to ride out into the sunset with anyone.
Which would be fineโฆ if I wasnโt carrying his baby.
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Ya know, I should know better than to think ‘oh it’s going to be another surprise pregnancy / commitment shy or troubled main character / whatever’ book when it has Piper Rayne on the cover. I really enjoyed these two together – the insta love, the baby, even the back and forth with Zander’s issues. (I just wanted to give the man a big ol’ hug!)
Because Zander definitely has some issues left over from being a foster kid. Add in his hectic, in the public eye lifestyle and it has him struggling with how to proceed once he realizes he’s caught feelings. Throw in a kid and that man is destined for a breakdown.
And even tho there is no surprise where their issues are going to come from, it works for me. Luckily he has the support of his best friend, Beau, and of course ALL the Plain Daisy crew. It takes him a while to get his head on straight but with some love and patience and a few figurative kicks to the hiney he eventually figures it out ๐
There’s a reason Piper Rayne is on my must read list and it shows from start to finish here. So much of the feels (heartache and sweet moments alike), steaminess, humor, and love from family, both born & found. They are one of my favorite authors and keep me coming back for more.
Former foster kid Austin Taylor has always been a loner, so when he finds out he now co-owns a dilapidated farmhouse courtesy of a deceased widow he befriended after he fixed her lawn mower, he’s inclined to keep itโeven if it comes with complications.
Over a decade ago, Jose Romano became the backup parent to four kids. When he inherits half a house, he’s busy recovering from his last relationship, building a business, and making sure said kids graduate. Selling would put money in his pocket and free him from DIY hellโฆ and potential entanglement with Austin, his distressingly hot co-owner.
Unfortunately, Joe’s always been a pushover.
With a little effort, Austin convinces Joe to fix the house before they sell. But as they handle surprise renovations, help Joe’s kids navigate high school, and accidentally adopt a quartet of furry new mouths to feed, their run-down farmhouse starts to feel like the home Austin’s never had. After a night of no-strings sex with Joe leaves Austin sure he’s found his family, he starts playing for keeps. If only he can convince Joe that Austinโand the fixer-upperโare worth the risk.
Love It Or List It is all slow burn, touching, feel goodness. Joe and Austin may not have much in common but after finding themselves co-owners of a house, it doesn’t take them long to figure out they make a pretty good team. And oh my gosh, it is so sweet! Joe’s relationship with the kids and how he so easily brings Austin into the fold. The way they give up so much for those they love (both 2-legged & 4-legged) without hesitation.
It’s not always easy but they are willing to put in the work. Joe is still burned from his last relationship and Austin … well, he’s never been near a good relationship much less been in one, neither friendship nor romantic. And all that comes with its own baggage and miscommunication. I totally expected a lot more drama because of it, but the authors handle it wonderfully.
I just loved the two of them together – the way they kind of accidentally slide into a relationship, complete with teenagers, pets, and a fixer-upper house is just priceless ๐ While there are definitely bumps, with a little help from meddling kids and pets and friends, they eventually figure things out.
Iโm the last single member of the Jilted Exesโ Club, and I have no plans to change that.
Iโm fulfilled with my work at the club, dance classes, yoga, and the Exes. Plus, Iโve been extremely preoccupied with one Kason Maddox, the LA Rebelsโ goalie. Letโs just say that since weโve become friends, my eyes might drift in his general direction a little too much. But itโs only looking. And looking never harmed anyoneโฆ
Eventually, our texting sessions lead to dinners out and ending our nights watching our favorite shows. But when the paparazzi catch sight of us and the photos go viral, I suddenly find out Iโve had a boyfriend and didnโt knowโa boyfriend without the benefits. And Iโm thinking we should reconsider the benefits in this relationship if we are going to be in one.
Kason
SoโฆI thought we were dating. Turns out, the guy I was dating had no idea thatโs what we were doing. Friend-zoned without even knowing it. Cool. The equivalent of taking a puck to the face.
But due to an innocent little photo or two, now everyone thinks weโre together, so we have three choices:
1- Stop hanging out to silence the rumors. 2- Hang out as friends and ignore the gossip blogs. 3- Start datingโand both of us are aware of said dating this time.
I know which one Iโm rooting for. And if I have to use a little dirty talk and some praise to shift things in my favor, Iโm game.
Kason has got his stuff pretty much together, which is good because Anthony needs all the help he can get. Besides all the fallout from the situation that made him a member of the Jilted Exes’ Club, his childhood left a lot of scars from being abandoned, unwanted, and not finding a place where he really fit. Kason is just the opposite and is good at reading what Anthony needs to help him feel more comfortable and confident, not just in their relationship but in general.
While I adore that Anthony is able to change the way he sees & values himself thanks to Kason’s love and positive affirmations, I really wish that someone had recommended therapy to him. He really has A LOT of baggage to work thru and talking to a professional would help him a ton. But he comes so far once he finds that person that understands him and is willing to put in the effort he needs.
While this the first in this series I’ve read (and this author for that matter), I really enjoyed myself. It’s very low angst, especially considering all the issues that Anthony has, and a pretty easy read with a whole lotta steam. While I do wish we’d gotten a little more of their dating without knowing it part, just because they were so darn cute during that part, their courtship and HEA made me happy.
*****
Author Info:
Riley Hartโs love of all things romance shines brightly in everything she writes. Her primary focus is Male/Male romance but under various pen names, her prose has touched practically every part of the spectrum of love and relationships. The common theme that ties them all together is stories told from the heart.
A hopeless romantic herself, Riley is a lover of character-driven plots, many with flawed and relatable characters. She strives to create stories that readers can not only fall in love with, but also see themselves in. Real characters and real love blended together equal the ultimate Riley Hart experience.
When Riley isnโt creating her next story, you can find her reading, traveling, or dreaming about reading or traveling, and spending time with her two perfectly snarky kids, and one swoon-inducing husband.
Some thrills you chase. Others blindside you in a red plaid skirt and combat boots.
Axel – It was probably a little stalkerish to follow him to this office and pin him up against the wall before knowing his name, but in my defense, red is my favorite color. And he made it look so good I found myself tempted to try eggplant for the first time.
Besides, itโs not like I was the only one looking. Heโd been not-so-discretely ogling me all afternoon, I just made the first move. And the second. And pretty much all the others until tragedy struck his hometown and he sought me out for comfort.
I knew after that first night one wouldnโt be enough, but when he turned to me in his moment of need, I was done for. Too bad forever is the one thing Lennon doesnโt believe in. Heโs spent years building a life he controlsโrunning his restaurant, protecting his heart, keeping everyone at armโs length. And me? Iโm a professional dirt biker with no fixed address and no idea how to stay still.
We donโt make sense. Not on paper. Not in real life. But when heโs in my arms, nothingโs ever felt more right.
He thinks our timingโs all wrong.But I think I finally found the place I want to landโand the man I want to stay for.
This spicy queer romance features a workaholic who channels David Rose’s fashion sense – and emotional neurosis; a daredevil who thrives on challenges – including his first-time attraction to a man; A+ dirty talk; stolen underwear; a restaurant that functions as part therapy space, part relationship bootcamp;and a quirky small town that’s got that nowhere-on-a-map vibe, but somehow becomes the place where people find themselves and fall in love.
*****
Review:
Persistent is all slow burn, with just a little bit of angst at the very end. It’s definitely not for everyone, her late in the third act breakups thing, but it works for me. I enjoy the interaction between the two, how they slowly go from hookups to something much more, and how they don’t let their issues ruin everything for them.
Axel is absolutely the best. Kind, caring, and supportive. He shows up again and again, proving that he’s in the relationship. I do wish he’d done a little more to communicate his plans to Lennon instead of … testing him, I guess. I get it, he wants to know where Lennon stands but a conversation would maybe have helped their issues later on.
Lennon is fabulous too. I love how confident he is in himself as a person, comfortable in his skin and persona, but also guarded due to his family issues. Which are totally understandable. And with some help from his friends, plus Axel’s, he does figure things out eventually.
Just like the other books in the series, Persistent is a good mix of steam & feels, with relatable characters and good pacing & plot. This series is all about the delightful found family/small town charm & satisfying HEAs and I’m looking forward to where she takes us next.
Ryder Vorhees was born to rideโuntil the day he stopped.
A tragic accident stole his brother, his will to compete, and any reason to step back on a snowboard. Now heโs stuck serving community service hours at the last place he wants to be: the mountain that haunts him. The only thing worse? The man in charge of babysitting him.
Hayden Chaulke lives for helping people rediscover what theyโve lost. Running a fledgling adaptive sports program is supposed to be his dream jobโuntil his newest โinstructorโ shows up hungover, bitter, and infuriatingly gorgeous. Hayden doesnโt do lost causesโฆ but Ryder isnโt just anyone.
Forced to work together on the slopes, sparks fly between the surly exโpro and the rule-following manager. What starts as hostility turns into something neither expectedโan attraction that feels as dangerous as it is undeniable. But Ryderโs ghosts are never far behind, and learning to let go might mean facing the one thing heโs fought hardest to avoid: forgiveness.
Because some mountains arenโt meant to be conqueredโtheyโre meant to heal you.
Wheeler Rankin isnโt here for romanceโsheโs come to Lucky River Ranch to visit her best friend, wrangle a business deal, and prove herself to everyone who ever doubted her. But when she collides with Duke Riversโresident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friendโs new flameโsparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.
Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. Heโs itching to see the world, but one unforgettable night with Wheeler changes his course. When a blizzard and a business road trip leave them stranded together, their no-strings flirtation ignites into something deeper.
But passion brings complicationsโand unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheelerโs built. As family pressures, old wounds, and new dreams collide, Duke is determined to stand by her side, ready to forge a future neither of them ever imagined.
Can two fiercely independent souls trust in love, face their fears, and find home in each otherโs arms? Or will the ghosts of the past keep them apart for good?
Welcome back to Hartsville, where family is found, love is hard-won, and every cowboy has a story worth telling.
Poor Wheeler is going to get all the negativity for this one, I think. Duke is just a big ol’ walking green flag, everything that you could ask for in a partner, and she just can’t get out of her own way. It’s understandable – between her dad & older brother and some poor past relationships (although she may be a little at fault there, she does have a habit of self-destruction & running away) she doesn’t have a lot of faith in herself and her appeal.
It just breaks my heart because she seems fun and loving and good hearted, everything that you would want for one of the Rivers brothers. And her first meeting “date” with Duke is just swooney. It may be a bit much for some because it does go on for so long, tho.
While she puts up a good fight, Duke isn’t going to let her go too easily. With patience, love, and grit, he’s willing to put in the work, to show not just tell, and prove to Wheeler that he’s genuine in his pursuit. And it is a beautiful thing to see. Those boys have been through a lot but they all grew up to be real good men. Dirty talking, big hearted, good men and I love every one of them.
Peterson delivers another fantastic entry to her Lucky River Ranch series. It’s a slow burn, but it does bring the feels and a deserved HEA. Just one more brother to go – we’re ready for you Ryder!
The hockey player, the figure skater, and the roommate situationโฆ
GUS
No one throws a party quite like I do. Technically, I could have graduated three years ago, but I love Smithton, I love hockey, and the team needs a good captain with a positive outlook. Thatโs me. I love this town, and it loves me.
Well, except for my roommate.
Rafe doesnโt like me at allโtotal mystery. Iโm a nice guy. Ask anyone. Heโs the one with stick-in-the-mud-itis. Or maybe the nonstop partying is too much for him. Itโs definitely taking a toll on me, and Iโm trying to do better โcause in a twist, Rafeโs not so bad.
He has a great smile, pretty eyes, cute dimples, andโ
Oh, man. I think I have a situation.
RAFE
This cannot be happening. Iโm a competitive figure skater with goals and big plans. How did I get saddled with a party-boy hockey-hero for a roommate?
Oh, yeah. I mistakenly assumed the captain of the hockey team would be goal-oriented. Wrong. Gus and I have nothing in common, and I have no idea how Iโm going to survive a year of this.
But oddly enough, weโre good together in a crisis. So good, Iโm beginning to wonder if we could be something serious. Something more than a couple of athletes playing the roommate game.
The Roommate Game is an MM light-angst, college hockey romance featuring a fun-loving captain, a serious figure skater, and a chance at forever.
Prior Reading: recommended but not essential Genre: contemporary, college, sports Tropes: Hockey, college, opposites attract, roommates
*****
Excerpt:
โOkay, wellโฆI got two ideas for you. Favorite karaoke song and best series youโve ever binged.โ
โThat sounds like โhow to look desperate in under five secondsโ advice.โ He made a buzzer sound. โTry again.โ
โNope. Iโve given you gold, Johannsen. Work with it. Everyone has a karaoke story and or a show they freaking love and canโt shut up about. Get him talking while youโre practicing your spins or something. I guarantee youโll have your opening to ask him out. How do you feel about sriracha?โ I held up a bottle.
โI like itโฆsparingly. Too much changes the taste of whatever youโre eating.โ
โTrue, but I like spicy food. I went to this karaoke bar where they served the hottest wings ever. Ty put my name on the list to sing a Britney Spears song. My mouth was on fire and I could barely whisper into the mic, let alone sing.โ
Rafeโs lips twitched with humor as he pushed the cart and perused chicken breasts. โWhich song?โ
โ โToxic.โ I was supposed to make my voice extra deep and Ty was gonna go high, but those damn wings lit a fire in my throat. I wonโt be ordering those any time soon. Itโs a great bar, though. Hey, we should go sometime. What are you doing next Friday?โ I winked. โSee what I did there?โ
He added chicken to our now half-full cart and grinned. โThat was impressive.โ
โThank you. If you need another pep talk, Iโm here for you, but Iโve got do-or-die playoff games next week andโโ
โIโm fine.โ
โI know you are. I believe in you, Rafester.โ
He blushed, then grumbled about the sodium in a bottle of soy sauce. I was a little insulted that he thought Iโd buy his faux-grouchy routine. Iโd been privy to the real grump, so I could tell the difference. But I didnโt call him out on it โcause whether heโd realized it or not, Rafe had let me in.
*****
Review:
Gus has been a pretty terrible roommate but he’s been using his party lifestyle to self-medicate, hiding his issues and his conflict over his future with drugs and alcohol. (I really want to know how he did so well in both his classes and on the ice all things considered.) But he’s finally at the point where things have to change and I really appreciate that Hayes had him getting professional help, not just powering thru on his own. That also has him becoming a better roommate to Rafe.
I don’t know how Rafe lasted as long as he did – the drunken parties, missing food, and messy house … but it’s good thing all around that he’s willing to give Gus another chance. Because it gives him a chance to see the funny, caring man inside. Even if he’s so clueless as to why Rafe may not be his biggest fan ๐
But Sober Gus takes all the enthusiasm of Party Gus and applies it in positive ways. He’s so fun and I love how he brings Rafe along on all sorts of fun adventures, working to help him get out of his head for a bit. And it doesn’t take long for a crush to form. Who can blame him tho the way Gus throws himself full body into everything and that includes being a friend, then friend with benefits.
The newest from Hayes is a slow burn, low angst, sweet “enemies” to lovers situation. I loved these two together – Gus with his big personality & even bigger heart hiding his issues and Rafe with his quiet support and self doubt. Once again Hayes shows finesse with characters, plot, and pacing, delivering a feel good read.
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesnโt mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, whoโs pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. Sheโs been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yesโฆromance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolateโฆin any order. Add a book and sheโs set!
Zander Wicked lives life fast, on his bike, on the job, and with women. But one split second shatters his world and forces him to face truths heโs spent a lifetime outrunning. His family doubts he can change, but Zander knows better, and when the woman who helped save him needs more than a little help herself, he sets out to prove everyone wrong.
Shauna Flores knows what it means to fight for survival. As an EMT and a person in recovery, sheโs rebuilt her life piece by piece while carrying the weight of a best friend she refuses to give up on. The last thing she expects is to end up bound to a man like Zander Wicked, or to find herself in a marriage of convenience that blurs every line between right and wrong.
Two people with checkered pasts, an arrangement that ties them together, and a future neither sees comingโone that will test their limits, their loyalties, and the lengths theyโre willing to go to for the people they love.
Tropes: Small-town, found family, MC / biker romance, close proximity, protective hero, alpha hero, he falls first, strangers to lovers, chance meeting, reformed playboy, marriage of convenience.
Irresistibly Wicked is emotional, humorous, sexy, and fun. It’s not overly angsty but it is a heart-grabber. Zander is a charmer and he definitely won me over, working so hard to live life a little more purposefully after a near death experience. He won Shauna over too, throwing himself whole body into being a fabulous “fake” husband ๐
And she needs all the love and care that she can get. Shauna has struggled for so long, lived with little positive attention, that she finds it hard to accept the kindness the Wickeds send her way … and being Wickeds they show up and give her all that she needs & more.
Foster once again hits it out of the park for me. I loved Zander and Shauna together – the way they bloom with each other, the way they laugh and play their way into falling in love, their strength and resilience … just so much to love here. All the way to that moment at the end leading them to their HEA moment *sigh*
Going into this you know that these two are going to take a little bit getting out of their own way. Both have issues that have caused them to feel like a committed relationship isn’t for them but fate keeps bringing them together, showing them signs that they really are meant to be. And it is delightful.
Charlie Benson is happy with her life; she just feels a little lost. The empty nest years haven’t been as easy as she thought they might be, and while planning her daughter’s wedding should be fun, it’s become more about appeasing overbearing relatives than her daughter’s happiness.
Davis Benson wants nothing more than for his wife to be happy, but since their two kids left for college, things just haven’t been the same. Charlie isn’t her usual bubbly self, and the empty nest years aren’t as fun as he expected.
When a potential real estate deal threatens the small town where they live, and Charlie and Davis risk losing their home, their world feels beyond their control, making it increasingly difficult to find hope. Together, they must find a way to carve a new path unlike the one they imagined, holding tight to what matters most.
โHey, honey. Iโm home!โ she hollered as she came through the front door.
โIn here!โ Davisโs voice echoed down the hallway from the kitchen.
Charlie set her purse on the bench inside the door and hung her coat on the rack. She took off her shoes and kicked them under the bench. Padding down the hall in her stocking feet, she found her husband of twenty-five years humming as he opened takeout containers heโd placed on the large island at the center of the kitchen. He hadnโt heard her come into the room yet. She took in the sight of him. Tall with blond hair cut short and blue eyes that reminded her of the lake in summer when the sun hit it just right. With a bright smile that won over everyone he met, Davis personified friendliness. While Charlie could get herself worked up about most anything, Davis was steady. Easy going. Her calm in any storm. Coming home to him was what soothed her most in life.
He looked up and smiled at her. โHey, babe.โ
She made her way around the island to him. โHey.โ
He turned and pulled her into his arms, something heโd done thousands of times over the years. She tucked in against him, her arms around his waist, and sighed.
โI love it when you do that.โ He rested his chin on top of her head.
โDo what?โ
โWhen your whole body relaxes when I hold you.โ
Charlie smiled against his chest. โI like that, too.โ
She pulled back and looked up at him. He kissed her softly.
โI see you got us takeout from Mariannyโs,โ she said as she turned her head toward the containers on the counter.
โI did. I figured it would be nice for us not to have to cook tonight.โ
โThere are many reasons why I married you. Knowing when Iโm not up for cooking and getting us food from Mariannyโs is one of them.โ
โHmm. Not my charm and good looks?โ
โThose are bonuses.โ She winked at him and then stepped out of his arms to grab two plates from the cupboard. The sound of his laughter caused any concerns of the day to fade away.
They dished up food, grabbed silverware, and made their way to the kitchen table. Soft jazz music played from the speaker Davis had installed in the corner of the room. As he set down two wine glasses and poured her a glass, Charlie took a deep breath and soaked in the moment. Yes, having an empty nest was a huge change. And yet, there were nights like this one that reminded her some things donโt change. Some things in life she could still rely on.
Davis sat beside her and held her hand as he said a small blessing over their meal, then dove into their food. Mariannyโs made the best arepas, a popular Venezuelan food Charlie and Davis had fallen in love with when the restaurant opened a few years back. Filled with yummy meat and cheeses, Charlie moaned with pleasure as the flavors danced across her tongue, the warm, gooeyness the best comfort food imaginable.
โHow was work today?โ Davis asked once heโd finished his bite of food.
Charlie took a sip of wine and sat back in her chair. โInteresting. Amber gave me a new listing. I went by, and it needs some work, butโฆโ
โWhere is it?โ Davis took a sip of wine.
โItโs a Colonial Revival just outside of town on White Pine Drive.โ
Davis nodded. โI think I know the one youโre talking about. It needs a bit of work, doesnโt it?โ
โIt does, but it has good bones.โ
Davis smiled as Charlie took another bite of food.
They had agreed over the years that having a common interest in architecture and building construction was something they appreciated.
โTell me about your day,โ Charlie said as she finished her bite and wiped her face with a napkin. The food was deliciousโand messy.
โIt was fine.โ
Charlie stopped and stared at Davis, the napkin halfway back to her lap. Davis didnโt say โfineโ unless something was up. She placed her napkin and her hands in her lap and looked at her husband, who was doing a tremendous job of avoiding eye contact with her.
โDavis.โ
*****
Author Info:
Writing stories since she was a young girl, Lara’s dream of being aย novelist became a reality with her Men of Honor series. An avidย reader, she worked as a book reviewer for 18 years with variousย organizations. She has a BA in Journalism and a Masters ofย Divinity in Chaplaincy. Lara loves tea, baseball and living in Idahoย with her husband and Great Dane.ย
Hating the arrogant quarterback was easyโฆ until I needed his help.
My escape is all planned out: get promoted at my restaurant job, finish college, avoid distractionsโi.e. menโand soon love, with all its broken promises, will be in the rearview mirror.
Until my manager informs me that if I want that promotion, Iโll need to be trainedโby none other than Reeve Dalton.
Shafer Uโs cocky blue-eyed quarterback?
The man Iโve despised since he humiliated my best friend?
Please, no.
Iโm not afraid to let Reeve know I find his arrogance infuriating instead of intoxicatingโno matter how many times he catches me staring at his sexy signature smirk.
If only he didn’t step in and rescue me from a humiliating showdown with my ex.
If only he wasnโt so good at firing up my short temper.
Then maybe my desire wouldnโt burn even hotter than my hate.
Now Iโm in trouble.
Because girls all over campus would throw away their lives for one night with Reeveโฆ and I might just be one of them.
Hate To Be The One is a full-length standalone novel and can be enjoyed even if you haven’t read the other books in the Shafer U Series.
Kristen Vail is the author of spicy sports romance featuring realistic characters and relationships with plenty of delicious tension. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, kids and rescue pup.
When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, listening to music and rewatching shows from the โ90s.
Romantic Reads and Such 