A Small Town, Cowboy, Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers, Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.
Wren Waterstone isn’t just one of the most decorated equestrians in the world―she was also my best friend for as long as I can remember. Until she wasn’t.
Now she’s back in Rosewood River, and thanks to a temp agency, Wren has been placed at my ranch. I have no intention of allowing my ex-best-friend to work for me, but when I see the desperation in her eyes, I can’t turn her away, even though I know I should.
Old habits die hard.
Seeing her every day is more challenging than I expected. She’s guarded. Wounded. And she looks at me like I’m the enemy. I need to know why. The more time we spend together, the more the lines between past and present blur―and we find our way back to one another. The only problem is, she’s got big dreams to chase.
And I only want to chase her.
I’ve loved this girl my entire life, and our time apart didn’t change that. I let Wren Waterstone get away once. Am I really going to make that mistake again?
Like everything else in the Rosewood River series, I enjoyed the heck out of this one. From their decades-long friendship to their HEA, Axel & Wren’s journey just worked for me. The support and love they have for each other, with understanding and an undeniable connection, means that it doesn’t take them long to come back to each other.
And Pavlov could easily have made it more angsty but I think she included just the right amount of drama. They have their issues but all it really takes is one honest conversation (which, yes, could have happened 2 years ago but I understand where Wren was coming from.) I also appreciated that she didn’t make any of the characters truly bad. They were just people with flaws and issues – granted one or two with really BIG flaws and issues – and most even learned a thing or two.
Plus, how can you not love this family. The guy’s text message threads are some of my favorite parts of this series. And as they find their matches, it brings even more girls into the family and they have formed such a fun squad, just as wild and hilarious and fun as their SOs. You know those Sunday dinners are a hoot!
We’ve got one more guy left to find his HEA and it’s going to be a nanny romance, which means little kid adorableness and daddy hotness … definitely looking forward to that one 🙂
Sometimes losing everything is the only way to find what matters.
Dr. Holly Carrington has officially hit rock bottom.
When a panic attack strikes in the middle of a hectic ER shift, she’s forced to step away from her prestigious career as a trauma doctor. Broken, exhausted, and more uncertain of herself than ever, she accepts a temporary position at a sleepy small-town clinic – never expecting to find comfort in the arms of a six-foot-tall rancher with a soft smile and filthy mouth.
Grayson Hart is nothing like the men Holly’s used to. With his worn Levi’s and calloused hands, he’s a far cry from the polished city types she once dated. He’s steady where she’s restless. Grounded where she’s been drifting. He’s everything she didn’t know she needed.
But as her time in town runs out and reality calls her back, Holly has to make a choice: return to the life she built, the only life she’s ever known, or take a leap into the life she’s only just discovered.
Is this new love enough to bridge the gap between who she was, and who she’s meant to be? Or are some worlds just too far apart?
Worth the Fall is a slow burn, small-town, city girl meets country boy romance. It’ll have you believing in fate, healing, and the courage it takes to choose a life that sets your soul on fire.
Oh, the sweetness! These two together are just about perfect. From their Hallmark Channel worthy meet-cute to Holly finally finding herself, it’s just so sweet.
Grayson is the perfect mix of country gentleman and dirty talking cowboy, with just that hint of insecurity. From their very first meeting, he shows Holly all the support and understanding that she hasn’t really gotten from anyone else in her life. He’s there to help her find her way to a life that truly makes her happy.
And she does the same for him. He’s been the steadfast older brother, taking so much on his shoulders and fading into the background for a lot of years, but Holly sees him and what he needs. Taking care of him just the same as he does her. Oh my heart it is so much with the feels … and the steam.
This is the first book by Laura Beth that I’ve read but I’m confident it won’t be the last. Her characters are well developed, feel so real with real issues, and the story is a nicely paced slow burn. It’s got that small town country charm and I want to visit the farm to cuddle the goats & feed the chickens & sit around the dinner table with them all. There are three more Harts that need to find their HEA and I really want their stories ASAP.
*****
Author Info:
Laura Beth is your typical Midwestern gal who writes swoony and steamy medical romance born from her career as an RN. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband, toddler, adorable pup, and her own feral orange kitty. When she’s not writing about a book boyfriend who falls hard for a sassy nurse, she can be found reading all things romance, gardening, or spending time outdoors with her family.
I woke up in Vegas with hazy memories of the night before and the hottest hockey player alive wrapped around me.
Some people come to the city of sin for gambling and partying—I did one better and left as Mrs. Travis Bennett.
My annoyingly handsome and charming neighbor has been asking me out for weeks. After nearly costing me my gymnastics career, I’ve tried to stay far away from the hot, cocky hockey player.
And now I’m legally bound to him.
When the media gets wind of our whirlwind romance, we agree to stay married until my season starts to avoid a PR nightmare.
I think it’s a mistake. He thinks it’s fate. And he’s doing everything he can to prove me wrong.
In public, I’m wearing his ring and his jersey. At home, he’s walking around shirtless, packing my lunches, and trying his best to make my heart race.
Unfortunately, he’s succeeding.
This game of pretend is starting to feel a lot more real.
My new husband is keeping score, and he won’t stop until he wins my heart.
So, I loved Lucky Shot. I loved the found family the guys created, Ruby was cute & fun, and the romance was sweet. But I was struggling a little in the first half of Keeping Score. Loved, loved, loved me some Travis – all the golden retriever energy. And the relationship between the guys was just as fantastic as I remembered with the way they aren’t afraid to have the hard talks about their feelings. I liked Hannah too – her grit, determination, and hard work is admirable. I just needed her to give Travis a little more grace. That man is so much awesomeness wrapped up in a gorgeous, giving, fun-loving package and I needed her to recognize that 🙂 But it definitely picked up about the halfway point. She stopped pushing him away and let herself enjoy the relationship they were building together. I didn’t mind her prickliness, just felt like it went a little too long … but maybe that’s just because I whole heartedly loved Travis.
It was straight out of a rom-com—until two pink lines changed everything.
Zander Shaw is country music’s hottest star. So, when he singled me out of a packed arena and had me pulled backstage, I should’ve known I wasn’t 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 family’s ranch to film his new music video, a surprise to us both. Now I’m 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 Zander’s made it clear, he’s not looking to ride out into the sunset with anyone.
Which would be fine… if I wasn’t carrying his baby.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
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 🙂
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.
I’m the last single member of the Jilted Exes’ Club, and I have no plans to change that.
I’m fulfilled with my work at the club, dance classes, yoga, and the Exes. Plus, I’ve been extremely preoccupied with one Kason Maddox, the LA Rebels’ goalie. Let’s just say that since we’ve become friends, my eyes might drift in his general direction a little too much. But it’s only looking. And looking never harmed anyone…
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 I’ve had a boyfriend and didn’t know—a boyfriend without the benefits. And I’m thinking we should reconsider the benefits in this relationship if we are going to be in one.
Kason
So…I thought we were dating. Turns out, the guy I was dating had no idea that’s 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 we’re 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 dating—and both of us are aware of said dating this time.
I know which one I’m rooting for. And if I have to use a little dirty talk and some praise to shift things in my favor, I’m 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 Hart’s 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 isn’t 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.
Ryder Vorhees was born to ride—until the day he stopped.
A tragic accident stole his brother, his will to compete, and any reason to step back on a snowboard. Now he’s 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 they’ve lost. Running a fledgling adaptive sports program is supposed to be his dream job—until his newest “instructor” shows up hungover, bitter, and infuriatingly gorgeous. Hayden doesn’t do lost causes… but Ryder isn’t just anyone.
Forced to work together on the slopes, sparks fly between the surly ex–pro and the rule-following manager. What starts as hostility turns into something neither expected—an attraction that feels as dangerous as it is undeniable. But Ryder’s ghosts are never far behind, and learning to let go might mean facing the one thing he’s fought hardest to avoid: forgiveness.
Because some mountains aren’t meant to be conquered—they’re meant to heal you.
Wheeler Rankin isn’t here for romance—she’s 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 Rivers—resident heartbreaker, restless cowboy, and brother to her best friend’s new flame—sparks fly hotter than a Texas summer.
Duke has always dreamed of more than dusty trails and small-town life. He’s 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 complications—and unexpected news threatens to upend everything Wheeler’s 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 other’s 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 situation…
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. That’s me. I love this town, and it loves me.
Well, except for my roommate.
Rafe doesn’t like me at all—total mystery. I’m a nice guy. Ask anyone. He’s the one with stick-in-the-mud-itis. Or maybe the nonstop partying is too much for him. It’s definitely taking a toll on me, and I’m trying to do better ’cause in a twist, Rafe’s not so bad.
He has a great smile, pretty eyes, cute dimples, and—
Oh, man. I think I have a situation.
RAFE
This cannot be happening. I’m 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 I’m going to survive a year of this.
But oddly enough, we’re good together in a crisis. So good, I’m 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:
“Okay, well…I got two ideas for you. Favorite karaoke song and best series you’ve ever binged.”
“That sounds like ‘how to look desperate in under five seconds’ advice.” He made a buzzer sound. “Try again.”
“Nope. I’ve given you gold, Johannsen. Work with it. Everyone has a karaoke story and or a show they freaking love and can’t shut up about. Get him talking while you’re practicing your spins or something. I guarantee you’ll have your opening to ask him out. How do you feel about sriracha?” I held up a bottle.
“I like it…sparingly. Too much changes the taste of whatever you’re eating.”
“True, 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.”
Rafe’s lips twitched with humor as he pushed the cart and perused chicken breasts. “Which song?”
“ ‘Toxic.’ 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 won’t be ordering those any time soon. It’s a great bar, though. Hey, we should go sometime. What are you doing next Friday?” I winked. “See what I did there?”
He added chicken to our now half-full cart and grinned. “That was impressive.”
“Thank you. If you need another pep talk, I’m here for you, but I’ve got do-or-die playoff games next week and—”
“I’m fine.”
“I know you are. I believe in you, Rafester.”
He blushed, then grumbled about the sodium in a bottle of soy sauce. I was a little insulted that he thought I’d buy his faux-grouchy routine. I’d been privy to the real grump, so I could tell the difference. But I didn’t call him out on it ’cause whether he’d 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 🙂
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 doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write. She’s 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 yes…romance is much more satisfying! Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s 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 he’s 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, she’s 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 coming—one that will test their limits, their loyalties, and the lengths they’re 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 🙂
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.
Hating the arrogant quarterback was easy… until I needed his help.
My escape is all planned out: get promoted at my restaurant job, finish college, avoid distractions—i.e. men—and soon love, with all its broken promises, will be in the rearview mirror.
Until my manager informs me that if I want that promotion, I’ll need to be trained—by none other than Reeve Dalton.
Shafer U’s cocky blue-eyed quarterback?
The man I’ve despised since he humiliated my best friend?
Please, no.
I’m not afraid to let Reeve know I find his arrogance infuriating instead of intoxicating—no 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 wasn’t so good at firing up my short temper.
Then maybe my desire wouldn’t burn even hotter than my hate.
Now I’m in trouble.
Because girls all over campus would throw away their lives for one night with Reeve… 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 ‘90s.
Romantic Reads and Such 