From USA Today and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author Bella Matthews comes a Single Mom, Marriage Of Convenience, Hockey Romance.
Youβd think a romance author would know better than to fall for her fake husband. Itβs the oldest trope in the book . . . literally. But it turns out writing it and living it are two very different things.
The plan was enticingβmarry hockeyβs hottest player so I could receive my inheritance and give my daughters the life they deserve. Iβm already a single mom at twenty-fiveβhow hard could it be?
Well . . . the answer is harder than you think because Leo Sinclair is so much more than I bargained for. Six foot, four inches of toned muscle and golden skin wrapped around the most perfectly chiseled jaw and dangerously charming smile. I knew heβd be hard to resist . . . but itβs not just his looks that weaken my resolve.
Itβs the way he wins over my daughters with ease.
The way he sees through my defenses and quiets my fears.
The way he says βmy wifeβ like he means it.
Suddenly, this arrangement doesnβt feel so fake. And Iβm no longer sure which of us is playing pretend.
But when love wasnβt part of the deal, will saying βI doβ turn out to be his biggest regretβor mine?
Bella Matthews is a USA Today & #1 Amazon 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 bookworm to main character . . . with several mishaps in-between.
Paige Turner is ready to jump back into the New Yearβs Resolution she made with her book club to use the heroines from her romance books to lose her V-card. She said fate would tell her if she should continue, and fate sent in the Marines. Only this time, Paige has a lot more riding on her resolution than just her virginity.
The resolution wasnβt simply a romance genre and trope checklist. It was to embody all the things Paige had learned from the heroines in her favorite books. That included the confidence it took to go after what she really wanted, inside and outside the bedroom. Now, Paige is on the cusp of achieving her dream job and possibly living out the billionaire boss fantasy. That is if she doesnβt end up in the emergency room where the sexy and flirtatious doctor is. Or if the hot cop doesnβt have to ride to her rescue . . . again.
Paige is in for the misadventures of a lifetime, from enemies to lovers, an encounter with the mafia, meeting firefighters, Paigeβs chance at her own Regency romance, and an encounter with a sexy strangerβa stranger who is hard to forget. Paigeβs time to fulfill her resolution is getting shorter, but will these misadventures lead her closer to her own heart, desires, and happily ever after?
Brooks continues all the hijinks and fun from Adventures of a Bookworm and I’m here for every moment. It looks like Paige’s adventures will find their resolution at the end of the next book, but as readers have come to expect it isn’t going to be smooth sailing for our heroine. And as with the first book, she meets fantastic new people and gets into one hilarious situation after another.
Paige’s friends, old and new, are an eclectic group – from a dom billionaire to a furry real estate agent, Paige brings them all together with love & acceptance and they repay her in kind. Her openness and willingness to try new things is delightful … and leads to more than one mishap.
I will admit that there were a few times where I wasn’t thrilled with the direction things took but Brooks is a skilled writer and had me back on board within just a few pages. She delivers quirky fun, humorous moments, and a surprising amount of growth. Is it realistic? No. Is it entertaining? Oh, yes! I am so glad I found this delightful little rom-com. I’m not usually a fan of books that have a cliffhanger but for Paige I’m more than willing and looking forward to more.
*****
Author Info:
Kathleen Brooks is a multiple time New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author. Kathleenβs stories are romantic suspense mostly set in small fictional towns. Kathleen loves writing about strong female heroines, the men who love them, quirky characters, funny animals, strong communities, sassy octogenarians, and happily-ever-afters.
Kathleen lives in Kentucky with her husband, daughter, and dog who is waiting to make her appearance in one of her books. When not writing, Kathleen always finds time to enjoy reading a good book.
My teammateβs little sister is all Iβve ever wanted. Now Iβll do whatever it takes to keep her.
Iβve loved her in secret for years. I kept her safe from the sidelines, even though I knew better.
Everyone knows me as the good times guy, the player with a million dollar smile. Never taking anything too seriously.
Except for her.
Sheβs my end game. Iβd sacrifice anything for Brooke, but my choices risk my team and the future of the Denver Kodiaks.
The past never forgets and Iβm about to play for my life.
The world might count me out, but I wonβt go down without a fight. I have my team at my back and the girl of my dreams on the line.
Everyoneβs going to learn Iβm hard to break.
Hard to Break is a pro basketball romance with banter, spice, and all the swoony vibes! Itβs the third and final book in the Denver Kodiaks series. Miles and Brookeβs addictive story begins in Hard to Fake and continues in Hard to Take.
Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!
I enjoyed the heck out of Miles & Brooke’s journey. He’s so supportive of her – helping her when she needs it, making sure that everyone knows how amazing she is, and taking delight in her successes. Big ol’ cinnamon roll and I’m here for the way he loves. She’s there to show him support as well, cheering him on and believing in him. Both are coming into their own, with him stepping up as a leader of the team and her finding a path that fulfills her and makes her happy.
But as much as I love them and was super excited to see them find that HEA, I did have a few issues. I felt like there needed to be a bit more to address the issues Jay had with the pair together, even if just a heartfelt conversation to address it. And with everything coming at Miles, I felt like everyone should have shown him more support than they did. For them to be so close, there needed to be a little less doubt. And while I understand Brooke’s issues, this was about him and he needed both her & the guys during that time.
Lawson wraps things up so well, tying up everything in a way that had me grinning (well, more of a smirk than a grin) and I’m so excited to see what she has in store next. Looks like it’s going to be Chloe and Jay, lots of secrets waiting to be revealed π
*****
Author Info:
Piper Lawson is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of smart and steamy romance.
She writes women who follow their dreams, best friends who know your dirty secrets and love you anyway, and complex heroes you’ll fall hard for.
Piper lives in Canada with her tall and brilliant husband. She’s a sucker for dark eyes, dark coffee, and dark chocolate.
Trope: Double bi-awakening, best friends to lovers, roommates, found family, hurt/comfort, big Golden Retriever energy, exhibitionism
Blurb:
Isaac
For three years Jamie has been my best friend, my roommate, and my wingman. We do everything together, and we live by one simple rule: work hard and play harder. Everything was perfect until what was supposed to be a meaningless threesome between friends changes everything.
Now I canβt stop thinking about that night, and how I couldnβt take my eyes off him. I want Jamie, even if I donβt understand why. We might both be straight, but I canβt ignore the pull between us.
I donβt want to risk losing him, but I canβt keep pretending like nothing happened. And the more time that passes, the more I wonder if he feels the shift between us too.
Jamie
Isaac isnβt just my best friend and roommate, heβs the person I trust most in the world. Weβve been inseparable for three years, and weβre rock solid. Then a mutual ex of ours suggests we have a threesome, and what should have been a fun experiment between friends sends my life into a tailspin.
Now Iβm seeing Isaac in a new light. I want him, and I donβt understand why. I try to ignore it so I donβt risk ruining the best friendship Iβve ever had, but that night awakened something in me, and the more time that passes, the more I think it also awakened something in him.
We might both be straight, but that doesnβt stop me from picturing my best friend on his knees for me. Or remembering how he looks when he comes.
Isaac and Jamie have been best friends for 3 years, but one night changes everything as they start to see each other in a different way. I feel like it might need a warning that this is VERY low angst. Just a super sweet (and funny and steamy) story of two best friends realizing, and working thru, their attraction for each other. It’s a lot of bi-awakening and exploration of their sexuality, and thanks to their deep friendship and support from a close friend group its not a difficult transition.
It’s Complicated isnot going to be for everyone, and that’s ok, I really enjoyed these two together. They have typical bro moments while also being super supportive, pushing where needed or just being there for each other when things are tough. This is my first book by Dixon so I’m not sure how normal this is for her. But if this is any indication I’m going to have to add some books to my TBR.
*****
Author Info:
What can I say about myself? Itβs kind of like being the new kid in school and being asked to tell everyone a bit about yourself. Anyone else forget everything theyβve ever liked, thought of, and even their name in those moments?
A few facts about me; Iβm a veteran, Iβm Canadian, and I love books! Iβve been writing my own stories since I was eight and wrote my first novel at sixteen. Iβm the first to admit those attempts werenβt my best work, but they started me on a journey of creating stories that has led me to fulfilling my dream of becoming an author. Iβve written and published in several genres under different names, but MM is by far my favorite, and Iβm so happy to be able to share my stories with people today.
I currently live on Canadaβs east coast with my kiddo and my cats. I have a shoe collecting addiction, and I enjoy taking long walks, discussions with friends, and reading anything and everything I can get my hands on.
A free-spirited proposal planner and a grumpy professor form a hilarious and unexpected situationship that just might lead to more in this steamy romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.
Dog groomer and budding marriage-proposal planner Destiny Amor believes in true love and happily ever afters. Though itβs not in the stars for her yetβhonestly, who can live up to the criteria on her Mr. Right Checklist?βshe wants it for others. When Destinyβs first misguided attempt at romance concierge ends in disaster, sheβs ready to call it quits, until the supposed groom-to-be steps in with a proposal of his own.
Ryan βFletchβ Fletcher, a divorced-and-never-going-there-again professor, needs to get his matchmaking family off his back, and the disorganized, too-in-love-with-love proposal planner is the perfect solution. He offers to help Destiny get her business on track, if sheβll play the part of his adoring girlfriend at his brotherβs wedding.
A professional situationship with her grumpy dog-grooming client? Destiny adores his pup, and she could put up with him to get her business off the ground. With any luck, she might even get that chip about love off his shoulder.
The Mr. Right Checklist is published by Montlake Romance and will be available in paperback and audio formats at all book retailers, and exclusively in digital format for Kindle and Kindle apps. Download a free Kindle reading app here: http://bit.ly/FreeKindle_App1
I ah-dored Destiny and Fletch together. She’s over-the-top sunshiny happiness and he’s a reserved grump who just needs to be reminded to loosen up and enjoy life a little more. Together they are sassy, funny, sweet, and sexy.
Destiny is so upbeat, go-with-the-flow, sweet, and fun. She embraces life in such a big way that it’s enviable. And she doesn’t let much get her down, even Fletch at his grumpiest.
Fletch may be set in his ways but he’s a good man, which is obvious by how much he loves his dog … and they way he steps in to help Destiny when she needs it. His life just needs a little shaking up and Destiny is the woman to do it.
We know where this is going, THEY know where this is going if they are honest with themselves, and they do get there. And surprisingly with a minimal amount of drama along the way. Instead it’s a story full of so much sweetness, humor, and spice, with a supportive, loving, fun group of people who open their arms, welcoming Destiny into their lives, and are there when she needs them. Including, and most especially, Fletch as he shows her all those things that she should be putting on her perfect man list.
*****
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. Melissaβs emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family orientedβperfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.
Tropes: Holiday romance, enemies-to-lovers, grumpy x sunshine, workplace, fake dating, all the misunderstandings
Blurb:
Everyone in the building loved the bake shop a lot.
Except for the guy on the top floor, who most certainly did not.
If it were up to him, there wouldnβt be a hint of Christmas in the building.
For two months out of the year, Daphne Noelle got to live her dream of owning a bakery. Her little pop-up bake shopβone that looked just like a gingerbread houseβbrought joy to every customer who stopped by to enjoy her sweet treats. She loved meeting people and making them smile, and being in such a festive setting every day was just the icing on the cake! For the last three years, everything had gone smoothly, but this year, there was one guy who was determined to ruin it all.
One of the things Tristan appreciated most about the office complex where his architecture firm was located is how upscale and elegant it was. Unfortunately, every year for eight long weeks, a holiday shop set up in the lobby, turning it into the equivalent of a traveling circus, and the bake shop booth was the worst offender. The giant gingerbread house was an eyesore and the woman running it was too cheery for his liking. This year, he was determined to do everything he could to have her and her booth removed.
When Tristan finds himself in the middle of a delicate family situation, only Daphne can help him. Now, heβll have to beg and plead and promise to be on his best behavior while dealing with her exuberant holiday joy. But the more time he spends with herβand the more awkward situations she saves him fromβhe begins to realize thereβs more to her than over-the-top holiday cheer. And maybe, when youβre with the right person, Christmas can mean a little bit more.
Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance thatβs hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot. She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than eighty titles under her belt β including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017 and THE WEDDING SEASON which was a Hallmark wedding movie in 2023! Sheβs a Disney enthusiast who still happily listens to 80βs rock. When sheβs not working on a new story, she spends her time reading romances, playing way too many games of Solitaire when she should be writing, wearing a tiara while playing with her sassy pug Mayleneβ¦oh, and spending time with her husband of 32 years and their two sons in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Six years ago, he was her one-night stand, and now theyβre sharing a villa for the holidays.
I thought I was over him. That his good looks and British accent couldnβt affect me anymore. But the minute our eyes lock across the elevator, all those feelings come roaring back to life.
Then I find out weβre competing for the same job.
Next comes the realization that we have to spend a week together on a ski vacation because of some six-degree-of-separation nonsense.
The real kicker is when I find out the two of us have to share a villa. A very small, very cozy villa.
Needless to say, this Christmas getaway is starting off rockier than the mountains weβll be skiing down.
Iβve stayed away for years, whatβs one week? But I forgot how much easier it is to ignore him with an ocean separating usβespecially when heβs determined to win me back.
Merry Kissmass is mostly light-hearted, with a few moments of seriousness as we get to know Pierce a little more, and definitely contains more than a hint of insta-love. Readers need to be OK with that, because the holidays really do work their magic as Brynn & Pierce reconnect and fall in love all over again. Piper Rayne gave me exactly what I was looking for in an end of year romance – holiday fun, stickily sweet with family hijinks, all tied up with a HEA bow.
*****
Author Info:
Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write “heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle” about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they’re married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they’re both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!
Since I was six years old, my world has revolved around two things: Carter Lockwood and hockey.
We made a pact in college before we turned pro to always put each other first. To make each other our priority, but being in love with your straight best friend can make that hard, especially when you have to watch them fall in love with someone else.
I donβt want to break my best friend’s heart to save my own, but I need to put some space between us to save our friendship.
Only this time, itβs not just the defensive zone Iβm protecting, but also my heart.
Carter
From the moment I met Zach Reid, we were inseparable.
Nobody really understands why I always wanted to be with him. Our relationship is what some people call codependent, but heβs been my favorite person for over two decades, and life is always calmer when heβs around.
But something changed between us over the summer, and I started to see him in a different way.
Then the pact we made in college started to fall apart, along with my football career.
I donβt know what happened or how to make it right, but thereβs one thing I know for certain.
Iβm lost without him.
Defensive Zoneis a childhood best friends to lovers sports romance featuring a hockey player and football player. It includes unrequited love, a bi-awakening, mutual pining and all the Thunder found family vibes.
It is book three in the Chicago Thunder series and can be read as a standalone.
My heart just broke for Zach as he goes through years of a secret love for his best friend. All the girlfriends, the months spent together without being able to show his true feelings … I can’t imagine. We know it works out for them but that’s decades of heartache.
Carter may be late to the party but once he figures things out he throws his whole self into their new relationship. He’s sweet, caring, and adventurous. He never lets Zach think he’s not all in.
Pretty much all the angst, the little bit that there is, is centered around their friendship and the issues that lead up to Carter understanding exactly what’s going on between them. After they get together we are treated to Nick and Carter settling into their new relationship, discovering the “benefits’ that come with those changes, and figuring out what their futures are going to look like. It’s sweet, steamy, and fun.
The believability rating for this one is low but the enjoyability is pretty darn high. The author does state before the book starts that to keep the book low angst that she made it easier for them. We could only hope that Zach and Carter’s relationship could develop the same way in the real world but we have a long way to go.
*****
Author Info:
Jodi Oliver is a British author who writes MM romance, happily ever after guaranteed. She loves donuts, dogs and ice hockey, and when she hasnβt got her head in a book or hiding in the writing cave, you can find her at an ice hockey game.
She lives in England but dreams of living in the Canadian countryside, with some highland cows and otters.
A heroic, sworn bachelor risks his neck to save lives, but his heart needs a daring rescue.
Kerry likes his beer cold, his coffee hot, and sex without strings. Running an emergency response crew takes up most of his time, and he reserves the rest for his family. Besides, heβs experienced enough heartache for two lifetimes and isnβt looking for more misery. Kerryβs carefully crafted peace shatters when he meets Keegan, a hazel-eyed hottie and his brotherβs new friend.
Falling for Kerry is a collision waiting to happen, but Keegan canβt resist the heroic hunkβs charm. Smoldering eyes and wicked grins tempt Keegan to go flat-out, even when heβs barreling toward a dead end. Rejection is the last thing his newfound confidence needs, but the crash might be worth the risk if Kerryβs there to give him mouth-to-mouth.
A crowded bar. A slow song. Months of mutual pining reach a fever pitch, and the invitation is out of Kerryβs mouth before he can stop it. Three minutes. Two battered hearts. One dance that changes everything.
Brick by brick, Kerry and Keegan dismantle the walls around their hearts to build something beautiful together. But old habits die hard, and traumas are slow to heal. Their love will either be the most beautiful gift or the messiest mistake.
The Beautiful Mess is book six in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. The Beautiful Mess contains mature themes and is intended for adults.
βOh! What about him?β Sven gestured to a tall, dark-haired guy approaching the bar. A pale blue Henley stretched across an impressive chest, and dark-wash jeans hugged a nice ass. βHe has a gorgeous smile, and look at those dimples. Bet he has a matching set just above that fine ass.β Sven mimicked an alarm going off. βAnd Iβm picking up big dick energy, even from this distance.β Keegan wasnβt sure what range Sven got with his big-dick detector, but he wasnβt about to question the masterβs verdict. Sven waggled his brows at him and said, βI know you have a thing for dark-haired, brawny men.β
It was the closest his friend had come to calling out Keeganβs crush on Kerry, who also happened to be Svenβs stepbrother. Lately, Keegan detected a little push in Kerryβs direction from Sven and the rest of the Hart clan. The idea was ridiculous, especially since Sven had once cautioned him against falling for Kerry. Keegan would neither confirm nor deny his friendβs suspicions. He tilted his head and considered the hot guy who leaned against the bar while waiting for the bartender. The man was fit and fine, for sure. He wore his dark hair short and neat, but the gelled strands didnβt invite someone to touch them. Kerry was a few months past due for a haircut, but the longer curls framing his face were sexy and tempted Keegan to test their softness. Keegan usually loathed beards or facial hair, which shouldβve been a point in the strangerβs favor since he rocked a clean-shaven look. But Kerryβs thick bristles made him look more like a plush-mouthed pirate and didnβt remind Keegan of the bearded Salvation Anew members whoβd wielded crushing slurs as painful as physical blows.
βAhh. Have we found a winner?β Sven asked.
He hummed as if considering the question. The guy turned and scanned the room, and Keegan saw that his eyes were light, not black as pitch. Miriamβheβd stopped thinking of her as his motherβhad warned him about black-eyed demons and the chaos they could cause during her fanatical religious teachings. Heβd grown up looking for soul-snatching beasts around every corner, but it had taken Keegan twenty-three years of abuse and nearly two years of intense therapy to recognize the real monster had given birth to him. Keegan had since witnessed the visual representation of the black-eyed demons Miriam mentioned while watching reruns of Supernatural. Kerryβs eyes werenβt anything like those portrayed on the show, but Keegan was sure the man was on a first-name basis with chaos.
βWell?β Sven prompted.
βHeβs cute.β
Sven growled and briefly hung his head before meeting Keeganβs gaze. βCute? Baby, no. We donβt throw that word around unless we want to insult someone. Cute is for kittens and puppies. Cute is the kiss of death for a romantic endeavor.β
βOh.β Keegan mentally added that to the list of things he didnβt know or understand. Who the hell made up these dating rules, anyway? βSorry.β
*****
Author Info:
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she makes a living by telling stories to others. She wears many titlesβwife, mom, and grandma are just a few. Love inspires everything she does, podcasts 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/dlhPYjMy favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimeeβs Dye Hards? Weβd love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/
Tropes: Enemies to friends to lovers, close proximity, agent + player, secret situationship
Blurb:
Thad
Failing to make it in pro ball left me absolutely devastated. Baseball has been my life, my dream, but itβs time to move on.
Becoming a sports agent was always my back-up plan, and now that Iβm interning at the biggest queer-focused firm in the country, Iβm doing my best not to let my bitterness toward baseball affect my future.
Thatβs really difficult when Iβm assigned to babysit Kelley Afton, hotshot rookie pitcher for Philly. He has everything I ever wanted, and he doesnβt even appreciate it. I didnβt become an agent so I could soothe the ego of diva athletes.
His constant need for validation from others frustrates me to no end, but thatβs probably a good thing. Because if he didnβt have that, Iβd find him irresistibly my type.
Attraction could lead to crossing lines which would put my position at King Sports in jeopardy, and I canβt have that.
I have enjoyed the heck out of all of Finley’s books I’ve read and The Backup Plan is no exception. She does a fantastic job of giving her readers interesting characters and believable plots. Some of the characters may be big-shot athletes, musicians, etc but at the end of the day they are just men looking for a connection.
Thad is struggling a little after realizing that a MLB career isn’t in the cards for him. And he’s taking it out on a certain extremely sexy, extremely talented, extremely egotistical pitcher. Once he realizes what is truly at the root of Kelley’s need to be liked, it sends him on a path of little self-reflection. And maybe a little more.
Kelley’s mental health issues may have caused him to take a self-imposed break in the woods, but it also gives him the one person that he feels completely comfortable being his self with. Someone who also helps him quiet the destructive voices in his head.
There is a lot standing between Thad and Kelley, mostly revolving around their jobs, but it isn’t full of drama. Instead we get a steamy, funny, and satisfying read as they find themselves having to decide what they are willing to do, to give up, to embrace a future together.
*****
Author Info:
Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.
She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart.
With a short attention span that rivals her son’s, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF.
She’s also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don’t make sense to anyone else.
Romantic Reads and Such 