One night, one kiss, and a spark hot enough to melt the ice.
Prestonโs all in on his hockey career as a Stingray, and Chelseaโs just about to start a new adventure in Parisโuntil 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 regretsโjust a sizzling memory they both assume will fade.
A year later, Chelseaโs in Baltimore, launching her dream bakeryโand navigating life with a baby she never saw coming. The father? Mystery man from that one unforgettable night. What she really didnโt expect? Him walking through her door, very real, very sexy… and very much still capable of making her forget how to breathe.
Preston hasnโt been able to get her out of his head. Now that he knows the truth, heโs not going anywhere. The question isโcan they turn one accidental night into a real shot at forever?
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 Americaโs 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.
Steele Sanderson has always been my safe place. My best friend. My constant. My person. So when I walk in on my boyfriendโwho also happens to be my bossโscrewing a colleague on his desk, itโs Steele who picks up the pieces.
Now Iโm living in his penthouse, crashing in his guest room, and working as his assistant while I figure out whatโs next. Every day, I tell myself this is temporary. That just because he looks at me like I already belong to him doesnโt mean I actually do.
Except… Steele doesnโt see it that way. To him, Iโve always been his. The only one heโs ever wanted. The only one heโs ever loved. Heโs protective. Possessive. And done waiting.
I keep telling myself that crossing the line could ruin everythingโthat risking our friendship isnโt worth it. But when he offers a friends-with-benefits arrangement, promising to give me everything Iโve secretly craved, how can I possibly say no? It doesnโt take long for the lines between us to blur.
Now I have to decideโkeep pretending nothingโs changed or finally give in to the man whoโs 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. Itโs the first book in the Chicago Railers series and can be read as a standalone.
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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 Bachelorโs Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, a Masterโs 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-ย https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.suc…ย or check her out on Wattpad-ย https://www.wattpad.com/user/jsucevic. Jennifer can also be found on Tumblr at jsucevic (inspiration board).
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 sheโs 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 Australiaโs Northwest with her beloved doggies.
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 rightโeven though they know itโs all wrong.
Biggest Player
Not Yours #2
by Sara Ney
Blurb:
Margotโs 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, sheโs convinced heโs a walking red flagโor worseโa catfish.
Dex is hot, and he knows it. A quarterback with a killer smile and looks to spare, heโs a good guy looking for a long-term relationship. He wants what his friends have: someone to come home toโฆand if theyโre naked when he gets there, even better. When he logs on for a casual scroll, heโs not expecting to meet her. One swipe, and suddenly heโs hooked.
Margotโs convinced heโs a catfish. Dex has zero dad bod and no dad energy. But their sizzling back-and-forth leaves them both thinking โwhat if.โ 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?
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 ๐ 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.
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 Iโm coming offย theย best season of my life.
Inย theย process of scoringย theย winning goal that gave usย theย Stanley Cup I tore my MCL, and Iโll need to spendย theย next few months recovering.
Eloise Gable,ย theย teamโs new physical therapist, has been sent to Rosewood River to help me heal and get me ready forย theย new season.
Yet, she doesnโt seem all too happy aboutย theย situation.
In fact, she canโt stand me most days.
It doesnโt stop me from staring at her any chance I get.
Sheโs beautiful and brilliant, but sheโs got her guard upย theย minute I get close.
Eloise is a distraction I wasnโt prepared for.
Did I mention that sheโs also my coachโs daughter?
But after a long run together inย theย summer heat, our built up tension snapped.
We end up stripping down and jumping inย theย river.
It seemed likeย theย logical thing atย theย time.
Theย problem is, Eloise Gable is completely off limits.
But Iโm 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 coachโs daughterโitโs definitely not my last.
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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.)
Seth Graham needs help. His eccentric job and troubled past will not help him get custody of his nephews. With their grandmother now stepping in to claim them, Seth needs a solution.
Seth canโt bear another loss. He has already said goodbye to too many people; he canโt give up the only family he has left.
Rowan Kennedy doesnโt need anything, especially not another lost cause. His career is finally taking off, and the last thing he has time for is helping a young single father desperate to keep his kids. He has no interest in getting caught up in a custody battle, especially when heโs never even had a real family of his own. He doesnโt know what itโs like to have someone willing to fight for you with everything they have.
But Seth is desperate, and Rowan seems to be his only chance, and these children need a home, love and something Rowan never had: a father who would give anything to see them happy. Plus, Seth is bloody adorable, with his dimples and his blue eyes and the way he creates chaos even when he sleeps, and his sweetness and his desire to be the father the children deserve. And then thereโs the way he practically begs Rowan not to walk away now that falling in love might actually be on the tableโฆ
โI donโt know whatโฆ Iโm not usually emotional.โ
Itโs bullshit. Iโm usually so emotional.ย
Why do I lie? Why do I care what he may think of me?
โTry taking deep breaths and drinking some more water.โ
I do as he says while he takes off his glasses and lays them on the desk, revealing his beautiful green eyes to me.ย
I had not noticed them before.
I have a weakness for green eyes.
And I have a soft spot for strong men, with strong arms and tough looks, the kind you hope will be tender inside and in private and only with you.
Am I fantasising about my lawyer?ย
โFirst, starting tomorrow, please switch to decaffeinated.โ
โWhat? Oh, the coffee. Sure. Decaf. Duly noted. Sorry. I was distracted for a moment.โ
โSecond, stop apologising. You wonโt go anywhere with that attitude.โ
โOhโฆ O-okay, Iโll try.โ
โWill you try?โ
โI will do my best.โ
He sighs, his face tense.
โThey will tear you apart in court.โ
How does he think this revelation will help my agitation?
โWork on it. A lot.โ
โI will work on it,โ I assure him.
โAnd thirdโฆโ
Oh God! Is there also a third point? I donโt think I can even do the first two!
โIโm very sorry for your loss.โ
โOh.โ
I didnโt expect this, and I donโt react well to unexpected things.
โPlease donโt cry again.โ
โIโm sorry.โ
The lawyer gives me a dirty look.
โOh god! Iโm so, so sorry!โ
He shakes his head several times, but I could swear I see him lifting one corner of his mouth.
โIโll calm down, I swear.โ I take another tissue and blow my nose again. โI canโt control my tongue and tears when Iโm agitated. I will do my best to be careful. I solemnly promise.โ
โIโm not comfortable with tears.โ
โOh, sure, I understand. Iโm not comfortable with tears, either. Especially if they are my own.โ
This time, he laughs. He canโt hide it!
Although it was not my intention to make him laugh, I must say that I donโt mind him in this role at all.
There. Another point against me.
Mr Kennedy can laugh, and he does it well. I donโt know if itโs possible to do it badly. I mean, thatโs something positive in itself, isnโt it? Unless he laughs at me, then it becomes something else entirely.
*****
Author Info:
A. S. Kelly writes Rom-Com, Romantic Fiction and Family Saga.
Avid reader, hopeless romantic, lover of yoga, knitting and home baking.
She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.
Falling into bed with my best friendโs brother was an accident.
What happened right afterโฆ not so much.
With abs more defined than the Texas Hill Country and a killer smirk I canโt ignore, the โboy next doorโ is all grown up and too hot for his own good.
My heart races for a man whoโs forbidden.
My breath catches each time his hand brushes against mine.
His heated glances melt me, leading me closer to temptation.
One night together has us desperate for more. But we have no desire to give this small town something to talk aboutโor worse, upset his sister.
But when a new tyrant of a landlord threatens my familyโs business, I need a miracle.
Call it a marriage of convenience or a friendly favor, but he comes through for me. The diamond ring on my finger gets me out of a jam but also has us confronting our feelings.
Did I just make a deal with the devil? Or am I actually falling in love with my husband?
New York Times bestselling author, S.L. Scott, brings readers her newest sharp-witted, great banter filled ranch romance. With characters causing quite the stir in their small town of Peachtree Pass, readers are going to fall in love with not only this setting but along with the characters in this coming home story.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, writes character driven, heart-racing suspense, and swoony romances that will leave you glued to the page. With stories ranging from witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, her stories are highly regarded as emotional, relatable, and captivating.
Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after reward at the end.
For more information, visit her website and sign up for her newsletter. She also loves to connect with readers on social media.
Falling for the guy who broke my heart years ago wasnโt on my to-do list when I snuck into his condo.ย
Maverick Walker was my best friend, my safe placeโthe boy I trusted with my whole heartโuntil one reckless kiss in high school ruined everything. Now, heโs an NFL football player, and Iโm a struggling small-town hair stylist, newly single and expecting a baby. With my ex gone and someone vandalizing my business, my life feels like itโs crumbling beneath me.
When my best friend Paige suggests hiding out in Maverickโs swanky condo to regroup while heโs recovering from an injury in New York, it seems like a lifeline.
Except he comes home. Unexpectedly. When Iโm half-dressed.
Now Iโm stuck in his orbit again, unprepared for the way he still makes my heart race. Maverick is charming, ridiculously hot, and as off-limits as ever. But I have bigger problems than his smoldering smileโlike figuring out whoโs targeting me and why they wonโt stop.
As the threats escalate, so do Maverickโs protective instincts. But with his life in New York and mine in Texas, our worlds couldnโt be further apart. And yet, with danger closing in, his arms are the only safe haven I have left.
But how do I let him protect me without risking my heart againโwhen loving him feels as out of reach as a falling star?ย
Falling Starsis a single mom, forced proximity, friends to lovers romance with second chance vibes. If you enjoy charming cowboys, sassy heroines, or secretive small towns, this book is for you!
Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of Varsity Dads, Texas Nights, and the Dearest series. She writes contemporary romance novels, the steamy kind she hopes readers love but her parents avoid.
Sheโs always been obsessed with writing, starting in elementary school when she would pen short stories and make her father read them. (Afterward, heโd have to take her tests, but he was a good sport and did them without complaint.)
In high school, when she wasnโt playing basketball, she wrote emo poetry (that won awards, go figure) and worked on the school newspaper.
She later became a nationally-certified high school English teacher and freelance journalist but decided sheโd rather write romance novels than tests or city hall articles.
Lex loves coffee, rom coms, pen hoarding, planners, and college football. She married her almost college sweetheart (they met right after graduation), and sheโs still obsessed with him, especially when he writes her songs.
She currently resides in her hometown of San Antonio with her husband, twin daughters, a bunny, and their new puppy. Drop her a line at lex (at) lexmartinwrites.com. She loves hearing from readers.
Lex is represented by Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary & Management.
The world expects us to hate each other, but fate has other plans.
As a member of a Maplewood founding family, Iโve always known what Iโm supposed to do with my life:
Take over Redโs, the diner thatโs been in my family for generations. Support the community, which usually means helping out with the townโs almost-monthly festivals. Hate everything about, and everyone involved with, Sparkyโs Diner. For the most part, itโs been an easy destiny to fulfill, even if sometimes I wish for something else. Something more. Maybe thatโs why I take a chance on Halloween with a costumed guy who shouldnโt look so good in a mullet wig.
Iโm stunned when his costume comes off and I see the one man I canโt have anything to do with. The man whoโs temporarily back in town and working at his familyโs diner. The man I canโt get off my mind.
No worries. Itโll be easy to avoid AmosโIโve been doing it my entire life. Except Amos and I are voluntold to plan an event for the big Christmas festival. Together.
When others on the planning committee say we couldnโt possibly pull it off, we decide to prove them wrong. It turns out stubbornness is just the beginning of a long list of things we have in common.
The more time we spend together, the more I realize my life is sweeter with Amos in it. I begin to wonder how deep this rivalry goes, how long Amos plans to stay in Maplewood, and what matters more: my destiny or my freedom.
Donโt Clause a Scene is a low-angst, small-town story about an introvert and extrovert finding a groove, secretsโso many secretsโand a well-meaning town that cares maybe a little too much.
With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year round, thereโs always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romancesโeach set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!
*****
Review:
This book has all of the slow burn feels and sweetness I could ask for. I so so so loved Amos and Mickey together. The way their shared experience as kids of the diners and their love of geeky things help them connect in a special way. And I felt for them so much, not only for what is going on now – having to hide the feelings for “the enemy” – but also seeing how the family feud affected them when they were young. Those missed opportunities to be friends well before this point. But they have each other now, at a time when they really need support from someone that truly understands them as they have to make big decisions about their futures.
Not everyone is going to like the secrets and lies portion of the story but I can kinda see how easy it was for everyone to get caught up in things. While I wanted to give a few people a swift kick for not realizing how things could affect this generation I kinda appreciate how it all plays out. It wraps up in a way that gave me all sorts of warm and fuzzies.
Iโve attended some dreadful company parties, but getting lost at sea marks a new low for a work event.
My only companion on this life raft is Elliot. Heโs ten years younger than me, wildly chaotic, and mostly responsible for getting us in this mess.
The fact that heโs also my new bossโs son is just a cherry on top of this terrifying, near-death sundae.
We crash on a small island, stranded somewhere off the coast of Seattle.
Elliot and I are exhausted, battered, and hungry. We lost half our clothes in the desperate swim to shore, and there are more storms on the horizon.
But we made it, and surely, weโll be rescued soon.
If only we can agree on a survival strategy.
Iโm an amateur naturalist and detail-oriented person, while Elliot isโฆ creative.
Maybe itโs a survival instinct, but as the nights pass, Elliot and I find comfort in each otherโs arms.
He becomes everything to me, my other half.
Until we get rescued, that is, and the real world comes to pull us apart.
Only One Island is a 70K M/M romance, loaded with heat and geeky fun. Our opposites-attract heroes danger-bang their way to survival and a well-earned HEA, with plentiful nature facts and constant disasters along the way. Enjoy!
*****
Review:
There’s not a lot of drama here, outside of how horrible Elliot’s family treat him and how & when they will get off the island. While enjoy feels like the wrong word I liked the first half of the book for their struggle to survive, trying to find food & shelter & rescue, and as it turns into a case of if it can go wrong it will go wrong. Unfortunately it doesn’t get that much easier for them once they do get saved.
But they’ve developed a connection and it’s one strong enough to get them through whatever life throws at them. I like that they recognize that things they’ve been thru could create a trauma bond but after time recognize that they have real feelings and work well together. They are opposites and Elliot brings lightness & fun to Hank who does a good job of providing the support & confidence that he needs.
I’m not sure if I’m disappointed or delighted by how things turn out, most especially with the issues at Hank’s office. I can definitely say I thought it was going to go in a different direction. But I do like where everyone ends up so I consider it a win. And the epilogue is just the sweetest.
Romantic Reads and Such 