Category Archives: Book Review

Review – Steal My Heart

09 Thursday Jan 2025

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Steal My Heart

Rosewood River #1

by Laura Pavlov

Blurb:

Henley Holloway is my bossโ€™s daughter and Iโ€™ve been assigned to mentor her.

The problem is, Iโ€™m not looking to babysit anyone.

But Iโ€™m determined to make partner at the firm, and this is the final obstacle in my way.

So, I agree to take the little princess under my wing.

Iโ€™ll work her so hard, sheโ€™ll beg me to leave her alone.

But from the first day she walks into the office and spills scalding hot coffee on my chestโ€”Iโ€™m intrigued.

Sheโ€™s a Harvard grad.

Her work ethic rivals mine.

Sheโ€™s witty and funny and beautiful all at the same time.

I donโ€™t want to like her.

I have a hard and fast rule about relationships, and I will not break it with my bossโ€™s daughter.

Thatโ€™s a hard no.

But sheโ€™s everywhere I turn, and I canโ€™t seem to get enough.

Werenโ€™t rules meant to be broken anyway?

From the moment we cross the lineโ€”Iโ€™m done for.

Henley Holloway has seeped her way into my heart, one that I didnโ€™t even know still worked.

But sometimes loving someone isnโ€™t enough.

Iโ€™m living proof of that.

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3C87dd2

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://geni.us/stealmyheart1

Audible: https://bit.ly/3Dz4U3n
Narrated by: Andi Arndt & Connor Crais

*****

Review:

**slight, kinda, sorta spoilers ahead**

I love Henley! She’s smart, sassy, and emotionally mature. She does have some issues from her childhood but she recognizes them. I know that some didn’t like the way she put up with Easton’s waffling (and boy does he run hot & cold) but I took it more like she was doing her and letting him do him.

And he does him all over the place. The man definitely fights his attraction to Henley, not wanting to take the chance of endangering his heart. It can be frustrating but with the help of his family he eventually figures things out.

Speaking of family. Cutler is an adorable kid, and I loved him from the Magnolia Falls series, but … I don’t know. Having him deliver these life lessons was a bit much. They were things that needed to be said and realizations that needed to happen but having them come from a kid … I did appreciate that therapy played a strong part in the story and the characters traumas are addressed. I love that authors are normalizing talking to professionals.

I really like Pavlov’s writing. She delivers such easy reads with depth and characters that I want to get to know better. I’ve enjoyed the couple of books that I’ve read so far and I’m looking forward to more in this series.

*****

Author Info:

Laura Pavlov writes sweet and sexy contemporary romance that will make you both laugh and cry. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, mom to two awesome almost-grown kids, and dog-whisperer to one temperamental yorkie and one wild bernedoodle. Laura resides in Las Vegas where she is living her own happily ever after. Be sure to sign up for updates on new releases. Laura loves to hear from readers!

Connect with Laura

Website: https://www.laurapavlov.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6569734.Laura_Pavlov

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3c1xKZX

Facebook: http://bit.ly/3eSvEdp

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Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3ii8Vdp

~


Review – Face Me Off

09 Thursday Jan 2025

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Face Me Off

Cessna U Hockey, Book 2

by Kimberly Readnour

Blurb:

She’s the temptation I can’t escape, no matter the cost.

Maddy Grimes wants to shed her good-girl image, and somehow, I’ve become the guy to help her do it.

The problem?

She hates my guts. And who can blame her after what I did?

Her family is about to crush everything my dad and I have worked for, yet … I can’t stay away. One heated mistake turns into a pact we swear will stay secret.

But the more time I spend with Maddy, the harder it is to pretend this is just a frenemy-with-benefits fling. She’s chaos to my discipline, temptation to my control, and the one thing I want more than the future I’ve been fighting for.

When secrets unravel and loyalty is tested, I’ll have to choose: protect my family or risk everything for the girl who has the power to ruin or save me.

Falling for Maddy could cost me my dreams. Letting her go might cost me everything.

Book Two in the Cessna U Hockey series, Face Me Off, is an enemy-to-lover, forbidden hockey romance featuring a slow burn that sizzles from the first chapter. If you like hot hockey men with big-sized packages to back their claims, click to add Ryan Sorensen.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/48OzSQS

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play, Barnes & Noble!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YZ75FP

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3UNM7XQ

Nook: https://bit.ly/4eMZqil

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3BFDWa0

Google Play: https://bit.ly/4gyHutA

*****

Review:

Deke Me was the first of Readnour’s books that I’ve read and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Face Me Off takes place about the same time frame with related characters. And while you don’t HAVE to have read the first book there were a few moments that would make a bit more sense afterward – only because both Maddy & Ryan are friends with Amanda & Blake so some of their romance is mentioned here.

I felt like this one has a bit more steam than the previous one – I mean it does start as a “with benefits” situation so you gotta have those bennies, right? But I still loved the characters. Both are struggling with balancing what they want against the expectations of others. They also have some history together that has left them with hurt feelings and baggage. It’s a nice little Romeo & Juliet story – with a better ending, of course.

I did have some issues tho. While Readnour gives us some delightful characters, and I found Ryan’s cheekiness and confidence appealing, if I had to hear about the size of his package one more time …. it wasn’t even him! Yes, honey, I’m thrilled for you. There was also some overuse of metaphors and similes. It can make the writing interesting but if there are so many that I notice how often “like” and “as” are used then it might be a bit much.

These are nitpicky things but the one that I think needed a bit more development were Maddy’s parents. Are they caring parents that just didn’t understand their daughter? Were they looking out for the family and doing what they thought was best for everyone? Are they rich aholes? I wanted to understand them but I just never could get a good feel for them and in this case it’s really important.

But Readnour’s writing is smooth, her books move quickly, and are easy to read. Her characters are interesting, fun, and have a conflict that may be somewhat predictable but it isn’t heavy handed or overdone. Based on these two books I am definitely going to keep an eye out on the next one in this series and will be adding some of the others to my TBR pile.

*****

Author Info:

Kimberly Readnour lives in the Midwest with her husband and a very snuggly cat.

Having a true passion for romance and HEA’s, she took the leap from the young adult genre to romance and never looked back.

Kimberly worked as a Registered Nurse for fifteen years before hanging up her stethoscope. When she isn’t running her own business, you can find her tucked away writing.

Connect with Kimberly

Website: www.kimberlyreadnour.com  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10814504.Kimberly_Readnour 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Readnour/e/B00PZ6GHZG   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkimberlyreadnour   

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~

Review – Taken by Storm

08 Wednesday Jan 2025

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Taken by Storm

Perfect Storm #1

by Mari Carr

Release Date: January 7ย 

Blurb:

Thereโ€™s a storm comingโ€ฆ and heโ€™s not taking no for an answer. 

Life has dealt Kasi one blow after another. Following her motherโ€™s untimely death, her family implodes, leaving her alone to run the farm. Fatigue and stress have become her new best friends, every day passing in a blur of work, work, and more work. When Levi Storm, her lifelong crush, keeps her from face-planting due to exhaustion, sheโ€™s mortifiedโ€ฆand more than a little bit turned on.

A person could set a clock by Leviโ€™s daily routine, right down to his afternoon trip to the Millsโ€™ farm market to buy one of Kasiโ€™s delicious pies. Heโ€™s known Kasi her entire life, so when the beautiful young woman faints in front of him, coming to in his arms, Levi is stunned by the sudden realization that sheโ€™s meant to be his, and heโ€™s prepared to move heaven and earth to claim her.

Kasi should at least try to shake the sexy new six foot five shadow sheโ€™s acquired, but Leviโ€™s much-needed help around the farm, his comfort as she struggles with grief, and his breath-stealing kisses are reigniting the hope and happiness sheโ€™s lost.

Until reality crashes in again, forcing her to choose between the dominant, possessive, amazing man who makes her heart race and her familyโ€™s beloved farm.

Buy Links:

Amazon https://a.co/d/8hJL8Ap 

Apple https://apple.co/3YrGL7p 

Kobo https://bit.ly/4do3DZF 

Google Play https://bit.ly/4c57dH5 

Nook https://bit.ly/4d6nUTS 

*****

Review:

**a few slight spoilers ahead**

I know that not everyone enjoys an insta-love story but I like that Carr makes it a thing for all the guys. That it’s something that runs in the family with their parents being the first. Now it isn’t love at first sight for Levi and Kasi, but Levi just needed to really see Kasi as all grown up for it to hit. After that, it’s all over and we just need to wait for Kasi to catch up ๐Ÿ™‚

Now, I like Levi but he’s definitely a bit … alpha? One of the things that bothers me is that Kasi has an issue when one guy treats her like “the little woman” but she’s ok when Levi does it? Complete with being told what to do and consequences? Sure, it could be because she loves and trusts him and he realizes that she’s strong on her own but … I don’t know. Maybe it just needed a little something to make that distinction a bit clearer.

And Kasi is strong. She’s been trying to keep her family and their farm going for months, all by herself. But she’s finally at the breaking point. Unfortunately she’s got a lot of pride that keeps her from asking for help from her friends. Until it gets to the point that she literally falls into Levi’s arms. And he’s not taking no for an answer *whew*

It’s obvious that someone’s trying to take advantage of Kasi. I mean he might as well be twirling his mustache and rubbing his hands together as he manipulates things. He’s just that over the top. But I do like the way that things get resolved – so satisfying!

This is only the second book by Carr I’ve read and I’m loving this one too. There were a few things that got to me but overall it is just great! It’s steamy, sweet, and an easy read.

*****

Author Info:

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 Americaโ€™s 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.

Connect with Mari Carr:ย 

https://maricarr.com

~

Review – Duke of Luhst

07 Tuesday Jan 2025

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Duke of Luhst

Seven Dukes of Sinย #2

by Mariah Stone

Release Date: January 7ย 

Blurb:

Nothing could change him for the better. Save, perhaps, her.

Seductive as a deadly sin, Lucien Wrenn, the Duke of Luhst, can tempt any lady into his bed. But his best friendโ€™s little sisterโ€”bluestocking scientist Lady Chasity Perrinโ€”is forbidden fruit. And heโ€™s spent a lifetime aching to take a bite.

Chastity has always loved Lucien but the thoughtful boy she cherished grew into a careless rogue. Content with her lot as a spinster, she fights to advance her medical research in a world that denies women’s place in science.

They can never be together until they clash in a heated argument and make a scandalous wagerโ€ฆ During a month-long house party, both must do the impossible: sinful Lucien must remain celibate and wallflower Chastity must secure a marriage proposal.

When every eligible bachelor begins to compete for made-over Chastity, Lucien burns to claim her as his own.

As summer storm traps them, no vow of friendship can hold him back from breaking every rule to possess her.

As they grow closer — body and soul — his touch unravels her and she begins to crave something very dangerous: him. For the first time, someone sees straight to his wounded soul, and makes him want to be worthy of the only woman he loved his whole life.

But when Chastity’s older brother learns his sister has been compromised, all hell breaks loose.

Buy Link:
https://geni.us/SD_2
Available in KUย 

*****

Review:

So I enjoyed the crap out of this story but I’m not sure how much more I would have loved it if I’d read the first book in the series. There were a few plot holes & some character development that I might have gotten if I’d met them before. But based on what I got as a first read, it was still well worth it.

Chastity has scars gotten at the hands of her father (this is one of those places where I don’t think I got enough detail but may have better understood with her brother’s story). She’s spent years emphasizing her brains, not her femininity, hoping that she’d find someone who valued her as she was. But it’s left her alone, awkward, and looked over.

Lucian’s parents were horrible, to him and to each other. To outrun the pain and wounds that their actions & words left him with, he has turned himself into a devil-may-care rake. Someone that makes no attachments, locks his heart down, making sure that he cannot be hurt or commit any harm to others.

I loved these two together and my heart broke for them both, for their pasts and the present. There’s so many ups and downs for them as they figure out if they can let the pain, the scars, of their past go and take the chance on a future. It’s scary, painful, but totally worth it if they are brave. And I’m here for every moment of it.

*****

Author Info:

Mariah Stone is a bestselling author of time travel romance novels, including her popular Called by a Highlander series and hot Viking, Pirate, and Regency novels. With nearly one million books sold, Mariah writes about strong modern-day women falling in love with their soulmates across time. Her books are available worldwide in multiple languages in e-book, print, and audio.

Connect with Mariah Stone:ย 
https://linktr.ee/Mariahstone

~

Review – My One & Goalie

01 Wednesday Jan 2025

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My One & Goalie

Return to Starlight Bay series

by Kara Kendrick

Man of the Month: January

Blurb:

He’s the bad boy of professional hockey.
She’s a struggling single mom.
What neither of them sees coming is each other.

I have a reputationโ€”and it’s not a good one. I’m a fighter on the ice, a player in the sheets, and apparently that’s more trouble than my coach wants on his team.

After one too many run-ins with the press, my agent sends me to small-town Starlight Bay to rehab my image. A few well-placed articles and photo ops of me coaching a youth hockey team should get me back in everyone’s good graces quickly. Then I can leave this sleepy town behind for good.

What I don’t count on is falling hard for struggling single mom Rachel. She’s smart, funny, wildly gorgeousโ€”and doesn’t even know it. And the bonus point? Her kid’s got real talent on the ice.

I shouldn’t shoot my shot with a single mom, but I can’t help myself. One night of red-hot passion leaves me wanting more, so much more. For the first time, there’s more to my life than hockey. Now I want a chance at forever with Rachel and her son.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4fAcLf2

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/48CTxD0

*****

Review:

I didn’t know going in that this was a novella and I think that probably influenced how I felt about it. I loved Xander & Rachel and the relationship they created together. But my biggest issue, being such a short story that I enjoyed that much, is I wanted SO much more!

Xander is known for his temper, on and off the ice, but he’s not a bad guy. He usually gets in trouble standing up for himself and his teammates. And once he meets Rachel and her son, he finds himself standing up for them too.

Rachel is a good mom with a terrible ex. She’s making sacrifices to make her son happy and trying her best to limit the fall out from her ex’s bad behavior. The last thing she has time for is her son’s sexy new coach. But he’s not one to give up.

I would have loved to see more of the reforming of the bad boy. He immediately feels this pull towards Rachel and as they get to know each other he shows himself to be a good man. He takes care of her when she needs it, supports her, and respects her. He’s an amazing boyfriend and I really just wanted more of it!

I definitely think that if Iโ€™d known that this was a novella my attitude would have been different as I read their story. Itโ€™s smooth, flows well, and is believable with likable characters โ€“ everything that makes for a great read. Itโ€™s because I liked them so much, I enjoyed their story, that I was looking for more out of it, that extra detail and development. Make it a full length story and you’re getting 5*s from me.

*****

Author Info:

Kara Kendrick writes fun and flirty small-town romance destined to give you all the feels. A reformed English major, she also has a master’s in counseling and was an elementary school counselor in her pre-mom life.

She loves the beach, wine, and rock hard abs, not necessarily in that order. When she’s not dreaming up Happily Ever After’s, you can find her chasing after her boy-girl twins, working out semi-hardish, or walking her adorable Shiba pups with her husband, who’s not too bad himself.

Connect with Kara

Website: https://karakendrick.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20805216.Kara_Kendrick

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/karakendrick

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karakendrickauthor/

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~

Review – Mr. Broody

31 Tuesday Dec 2024

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Mr. Broody

The Nest #2

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

Iโ€™ve loved Henry Hensley since I was seven years old. Weโ€™ve gone from best friends to lovers to nothing.

To most people, heโ€™s the Chicago Falcons starting right winger and hot single dad, but to me, heโ€™s my first boyfriend, my first kiss, my first love.

Eight years ago, that all changed when our lives took us in two different directions. Our break-up almost broke me, so I kept my distance until our hometown called me back to where our story began.

I promised myself a quick visit to help my family out, and then Iโ€™d leave town before he even knew I was back, which should have been easy. Heโ€™s way too busy being a professional hockey player and raising his son to ever find out.

Of course, Iโ€™m only in town for a week before I run into him, and one thing is clear from our brief encounterโ€”Henry wants to hash out our past, whereas Iโ€™d rather forget it.

But my plan really goes up in flames when I take a temporary substitute teaching job, and on day one, his son walks into my classroom. Boom.

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/473feeG

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and Kobo!

https://books2read.com/MR-B

Audio with Duet Narration by: JF Harding & Brooke Bloomingdale
Also featuring: Sean Masters, Connor Crais, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton & CJ Bloom

*****

Review:

I was so happy to see Henry find his HEA. He’s such an old soul – serious about his family, his friends, and his sport. He was such a delightful part of Mr. Heartbreaker as he provided guidance and a level-head to the others. They call him Daddy for a reason (and not an “ewww” one) as he’s the father figure to more in the group than just Bodhi. But now that he’s got a second chance with the only woman he’s ever loved, their love & attraction still as strong as ever, he’s struggling to take it slow ๐Ÿ™‚

While his connection to Jade is lovely, it’s his obvious love and care for Bodhi that is swoony. Bodhi is just as much an old soul as Henry but with the enthusiasm of a child. I loved getting his side in a few chapters and it is relatable how badly he wants a woman’s influence in his life. Enter Jade as his substitute teacher – obviously someone important to his dad in the past – what could be better?

I feel for Jade. I totally understand why she’s stayed away for so long and why she’s hesitant to see Henry again, knowing how strong her feelings for him are still. It had to be hard balancing that pull with trying to figure out where she’s going with her life. Now she’s finding herself at a crossroads again, unsure of who she wants to be, and realizing that their feelings for each other are still just as strong as ever … Can they make it work?

Looking from the outside I think there could have been a better way to handle it all those years ago, but I get where they are coming from and why they would think the way they did. While I don’t feel like Jade’s issues were completely resolved, and I really needed that clarity moment about whether staying is right, I know we’ll see more of them over the next couple of books to get some of those answers.

Seeing them together tho is *chefs kiss*

I love the guys in The Nest – the way they each have their strengths that they bring to the group and how they are there to support one another, never failing to show up, from listening & providing advice to giving each other heck to being there for Bodhi. It’s sweet and wholesome and I love seeing them find someone to share their lives with, bringing them into the fold. I’m so looking forward to what’s coming next for them!

*****

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!

Connect with Piper Rayne

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15810938.Piper_Rayne

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiperRayne/

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Threads: https://www.threads.net/@authorpiperrayne

~

Review – Meant to be Falling

27 Friday Dec 2024

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Meant to be Falling

Blackstone Falls #3

by Alexandra Hale

Blurb:

When the bossโ€™s wife asks me to fill in for a stranger photoshoot the only answer is yes.ย 

And man am I glad I did.ย 

At twenty-three, most people think I have no business chasing after the divorced, single mom more than a decade older than me. 

But theyโ€™d be wrong. 

Iโ€™ve lived more in my time than most will in the entirety of theirs. I survived the kind of life that will crush you if you give it too much space to breathe.ย 

But Iโ€™m still standing. 

One look at Lana Richards, and I know why. Sheโ€™s beautiful and sassy and thereโ€™s no denying the way my body lights up when sheโ€™s near. Sheโ€™s the kind of woman that consumes you and makes you beg for more. 

Sheโ€™s everything.ย 

They say age is only a number but it might just be our downfall. Especially when her ex husband finds out Iโ€™m more than just warming her bed. Sheโ€™s scared but I canโ€™t help if she wonโ€™t let me in. 

How can we be meant to be, when everything is falling apart?

Buy Link: https://a.co/d/2gvrxCP
Available in KU

*****

Review:

There were things I enjoyed about this book and things that weren’t my favorite. The characters were amazing, all of them, and the best thing about the book. I loved them all and couldn’t wait to get to know them better.

Bodhi and Mason have a special bond (although I would have loved to see more of them together) and the friends they’ve met have become a second family. The found family aspect is beyond sweet and just tugs at the heartstrings, especially as we get to know Mason’s history.

From the moment Mason meets Lana, he knows that she’s the one for him. The insta-love may not be for everyone but I found it sweet. Especially as Mason woos her, helps with her kids, and shows them that they are loved & important. It’s not all smooth sailing, but with good communication and patience they’ll figure it out.

On the lesser side, this is my first book in this series so I’m not sure how much of it would have been different if I’d read any of the others. While I loved their support for Mason and Lana, it did leave me confused about all the different people and how they relate to each other. Because I loved so much of the rest of the story, I think I probably should have just read the others first … more books for my TBR ๐Ÿ™‚

*****

Author Info:

Alexandra Hale is a small town girl living with her family in Upstate New York. She routinely runs on caffeine, dry shampoo and thrives on procrastination. 

A romance lover and reading enthusiast, Alexandra finally began putting pen to paper shortly after graduating college. An unobtainable dream has slowly become a reality with the love and support of her friends and family and the romance community. 

She currently writes steamy, small town romance with a dash of lighthearted fun and happily ever afters that will make you swoon. 

Connect with Alexandra Hale:

https://linktr.ee/authoralexandrahale

~

Review – Wyatt

26 Thursday Dec 2024

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Wyatt

A Lucky River Ranch series

by Jessica Peterson

Blurb:

Wyatt Rivers is the perfect no-strings hookupโ€”a cowboy Casanova who rocks a Stetson, looks smokinโ€™ hot in his Wranglers, and never rests his head on the same pillow twice.

Heโ€™s exactly what Iโ€™m looking for. If only Wyatt wasnโ€™t also my best friendโ€ฆ

Iโ€™m back in my hometown of Harstville, Texas, for a few months while I wait for my dream job to start thousands of miles away. While Iโ€™m here, I hope to end an epic dry spell in the bedroom, preferably with a local cowboy. If the rumors are true, they really do ride harder and stay on longer.

Wyatt and I have been best friends since second grade, and Iโ€™ve been in love with him for almost as long. But heโ€™s as wild and untamed as a colt that canโ€™t be brokenโ€”not to mention, totally out of my league with his good looks and heartbreaker reputation.

Then I get to thinking: since Wyatt is such an expert, why doesnโ€™t he teach me the ropes of how to find a hookup? He begrudgingly agrees, and a little fake flirting suddenly leads to fake dating, which leads to real kissing, which leads to realโ€ฆwell, everything else.

And let me just say, the rumors are absolutely true.

Now, I want so badly to be Wyattโ€™s last rodeo. But Iโ€™m leaving town, and even if I wasnโ€™t, Iโ€™m not sure Wyatt would ever change his playboy ways.

I know cowboys canโ€™t be tamed. Apparently, neither can heartsโ€ฆ

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3MPC3cw

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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*****

Review:

I’m not a huge fan of romances where both characters have feelings for each other but they feel like they have to hide it for some reason. I understand where they are coming from, and it is definitely hard to put yourself out there, but it can get a little old after a while.

I think that Peterson does a great job with her story though. Pacing is well done, with a good flow from friendship to something more. The characters are believable in their actions & feelings and the way they approach a change in their relationship as well. So while it isn’t my personal favorite, I feel like it will delight those that enjoy that kind of thing.

While Wyatt wasn’t quite the home run for me that Cash was, I did enjoy it a whole heck of a lot. Peterson gives us another dirty talking Rivers cowboy and a sassy woman to keep him on his toes. The relationship between Sally and Wyatt is the sweetest – the connection they have and their history together – and I was so happy for them to figure things out.

*****

Author Info:

Jessica Peterson writes romance with heat, humor, and heart. Heroes with hot accents are her specialty. When sheโ€™s not writing, she can be found bellying up to a bar in the southโ€™s best restaurants with her husband Ben, reading books with her adorable daughter Gracie, or snuggling up with her 70-pound lap dog, Martha.

A Carolina girl at heart, she fantasizes about splitting her time between Charleston and Asheville, but currently lives in Charlotte, NC.

Connect with Jessica

Website: https://www.jessicapeterson.com/

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/JessicaPetersonGR

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KoS0sb

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicapetersonauthor/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PetersonsPupils/

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Review – Hearts We Claim

20 Friday Dec 2024

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Hearts We Claim

Hearts of Texas #3

by Christina Berry

Blurb:

While jogging with Drusilla, the awkward puppy drags me right into a tangle of leashes with another pooch and his person.

For the dogs, itโ€™s puppy love at first sight. For us humans, well, Iโ€™m certainly not complaining when I get a look at who sheโ€™s tangled me with.

Tall, dark, and handsome: this must be Markus, the townโ€™s new veterinarian.

More than one gossiping granny has suggested heโ€™d be perfect for me. Pump the breaks, Gladys, we donโ€™t even know if Krauseโ€™s new resident is gay.

Though the dazzling smile he just gave me sure holds a lot of promise.

Hearts We Claim is a sexy, full-length, small town, male/male dog dads romance. Featuring a sexy firefighter hero and the town’s new veterinarian, this is Book Three of the Hearts of Texas series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/6mx9rNC
Available in KUย 

*****

Review:

This is the first by Berry that I’ve read and I doubt it’ll be the last. Her writing is well-paced and her characters are fun. Both Markus & Adam went through things in their childhoods because of their sexuality, but even tho it didn’t leave them unscathed they aren’t going to let it get them down. Both have become good men – sweet, caring, and giving.

They find themselves connecting pretty much right away as it seems like life keeps throwing them together. There’s a little bit of a dance as they feel each other out, deciding if they are willing to take a chance on their attraction, but they soon become friends and maybe even something more. As long as they are willing to take that chance.

While I enjoyed Markus and Adam’s story, I do really wish they’d done a bit more talking. There’s a little bit of angst, most of which could have been avoided with a few questions from one or the other of them. But even that was a minor complaint. In general, it was a really smooth and easy read with lots of feel good moments flowing into a HEA ending.

*****

Author Info:

My debut novel, Up for Air, won “Sexiest Consent” in the 2021 Good Sex Awards, and my first two Lost in Austin series books won the Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal in Romance – Sizzle in 2021 and 2022.

A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, I’m originally from Oklahoma, and currently reside in Austin, Texas. When not writing, I’m usually helping my husband with our never-ending home remodeling adventure or marathon watching true crime television.

Connect with Christina Berry:

https://christinaberry.com

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Review – Moody’s Grumpy Holiday

20 Friday Dec 2024

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Moody’s Grumpy Holiday

by Lane Hayes

Blurb:

The geek, the cowboy, and a not-so-grumpy holidayโ€ฆ

Moody

Living in Christmas Town doesnโ€™t make me a fan of the holidays. Quite the opposite. In fact, eleven months out of the year, Iโ€™m perfectly happy running my bookstore in peace and quiet. Of course, that changes in December when itโ€™s mistletoe madness and mayhem. Ugh.

But this year, thereโ€™s a new cowboy in town and itโ€™s not as easy to grumble aboutโ€ฆanything. I admit, Hudson is handsome and hunky, but everyone knows Iโ€™m not myself till January, so heโ€™ll have to buzz off and charm someone else.

Bah humbug.

Hudson

Moving to California wasnโ€™t in my plans. I could use the change of scenery, though, and the ranch is a good investment. Thatโ€™s not a sneaky way of saying Iโ€™m hiding from my pastโ€ฆno siree. Iโ€™m following a new path to a new town, thatโ€™s all.

And so far, so good. Exceptโ€ฆmy attraction to the nerdy bookstore owner is throwing me off my game.

Look, Iโ€™m not interested in anything other than a casual hookup. But Moody is a mystery and I want to know more about the adorable geek with a sunny disposition who turns into a holiday grump every year.

For some reason, he feels like home away from home. December may be the last month of the year, but something tells me this is our beginning.

Moodyโ€™s Grumpy Holiday is an MM grumpy-sunshine, romantic comedy featuring an adorkable geek, a hunky cowboy, and a little seasonal humbug.

*****

Review:

Hayes latest is a fun, sweet, and humorous holiday romance. When Hudson first meets Moody, he’s funny, upbeat, and quirky. They spend a couple of days together, and one steamy evening, before Hudson heads back home … with a warning from Moody not to come back until January.

December Moody is very different from every other month Moody. While he’s a little bah humbug-y, he’s not horrible about it. He still finds things he enjoys, is willing to help friends and family, and makes his bookstore a welcoming place (in an entertaining way by bringing the opposite of the rest of the town’s Christmas cheer). We find out eventually why he has such an issue with the month, and its understandable why the month isn’t his favorite.

Hudson is smitten after his first visit and just as smitten with grumpy Moody. He slowly and carefully brings Moody back around to enjoying the holiday season again – from convincing him to go tree shopping to making a gingerbread house. He’s sensitive to Moody’s feelings but also sees hints that suggest that Moody isn’t as sour on the season as he wants people to think he is.

So far I have loved everything I’ve read from Hayes. It’s her characters that keep me coming back over and over again. Only one hasn’t been my cup of tea but even he was interesting & well developed and I enjoyed the heck out of his story. Hayes is a favorite and I look forward to every book that she comes out with.

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