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Romantic Reads and Such

Category Archives: Book Review

Review – Secret Husband

16 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Chicago Players series, Kate Meader, Secret Husband

Secret Husband

Chicago Players #4

by Kate Meader

Blurb:

Years ago, I broke her heart, but fate has given me a second chance. I am here to claim my wife—and I will fight dirty to make her mine.

LAUREN

I might be late to the game of life, but things are finally starting to go my way. I’ve just started my own sports talent agency, stepped on the first rung of the property ladder, and landed myself a normal boyfriend who’s about to propose. (I found the ring!)

Unfortunately, I have a slight problem—as in a husband who is surplus to requirements. Somehow, I got married without even realizing it to the guy who broke my heart years ago. Now he’s back in my life, making demands and turning my world upside down. Except I’m no longer that starry-eyed girl in love with the Russian hockey star. These days I’m a ball buster who fights like hell for my clients, and the last thing I need is Alexei Nazarov ruining everything for which I’ve worked so hard. 

But when he makes me an offer I can’t refuse, I wonder if I’ve struck a bargain with the devil who knows my heart better than anyone …  

ALEXEI

Years ago, I met a hockey playing spitfire and fell ass over skates for her. But my life was in disarray, and I had to let her go. When a chance comes to reconnect with her, I grab it with both hands. 

There are obstacles. A boyfriend (unworthy), her disdain for me (admittedly, hot), and the fact I hurt her deeply (my biggest regret). It won’t be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is. Known for fighting dirty on the ice, I am not opposed to fighting dirty off it to get what I want. 

And I want Lauren Yates …

Buy Link: https://geni.us/secret-husband

*****

Review:

So I have mixed feelings about this one. I really liked Alexei. He is very supportive, so intent on winning back his wife, and a very good son. But for someone who supposedly loved Lauren for over a decade he …. tried to win her back with a single Instagram DM? The man put in 0 effort, and was living a pretty full romantic life, before he was handed a second chance in Vegas.

He does take advantage of that chance though because he goes ALL in to show her how much he cares. I liked Lauren too and I can definitely appreciate her hesitation. The man broke her heart big time and she already has some trust issues thanks to her dad. But there is definitely still a pull between them, she just has to be willing to give him a chance.

The bit with the boyfriend was somewhat obvious but also kind of a curve. It was apparent early on that he was enjoying the access to the players thanks to their relationship but he seemed more just goofy fanboy than anything. He was a terrible boyfriend and Lauren was only with him to check some boxes so no loss. I just kinda wish we’d gone a less predictable path, although it was important for her journey.

There’s a decent amount of angst with Secret Husband as Alexei fights to win back his wife and Lauren has to figure out if she can trust her heart to him again. There’s also a good deal of spice and, thanks to the closeness of the group surrounding the Rebels, Meader manages to give it a small town feel even though they are based out of Chicago. It’s a big, noisy found family type situation with all the love, gossip, and humor you could ask for.

*****

Author Info:

Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with big-hearted guys and strong heroines – and heroes – who can match their men quip for quip..

Connect with Kate Meader:

https://www.katemeader.com/links

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Review – It’s About Time

13 Monday Jul 2026

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Blossom Peak series, Book Review, Harlow James, It's About Time

It’s About Time

Blossom Peak #4

by Harlow James

Blurb:

Pretending to be engaged to my enemy might not be my brightest idea.

But it is definitely necessary.

On the brink of the biggest car show of my career, I start to panic because it’s the first time I have to see my ex since our break-up.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t clean or amicable.

Then when Elliot Thorne’s ex-fiancé shows back up in town, I devise a plan for both of us to get what we want: a buffer from our exes with a dash of revenge.

The problem is Elliot takes his role to protect me too seriously.

He brings me food while I’m working to make sure I eat. He even silences the self-doubt I feel on a day-to-day basis.

And before I know it, he has me on my knees in my garage, and on my back on the hood of my car.

The hate I’ve harbored toward him melts away as fast as my panties, and I soon realize we have more in common than I thought.

Then he tells me a secret that makes me reevaluate our entire relationship.

Now I’m left to consider if something fake could be real…

And that maybe it’s about time I admit that Elliot isn’t my enemy after all.

Read the Blossom Peak Series here: https://geni.us/hPJqEO

(Will BEST be enjoyed having read the first 3 books in the series)

*****

Review:

I loved the hate-flirting between these two, especially the specialty messages on the desserts. And the way Dilynne supports Elliot after he’s left at the alter is perfect. She doesn’t coddle him but her brand of tough love is just what he needs and helps him put one foot in front of the other & move on. It also starts to change the way they see each other. Of course, their pretend engagement only complicates things further.

A bit predictable? Yes. Because of course they started catching feelings for each other. But was it enjoyable anyway? Also yes.

James does a good job of giving us hate-to-love with a reasonable transition and without the hate being mean. And I loved Elliot so much for all the patience and support he gives to Dilynne. He’s proud of her and wants everyone, including her, to know it. And I love that Dilynne isn’t willing to settle for being less that who she is.

We get a lot of spice with this one – gotta love a dirty talking man and a sassy woman who isn’t afraid to own her sexuality – but there are a lot of issues too that both of them have to work thru as well. It’s balanced well as the two of them learn to trust in themselves and each other and get to the point they are willing to take a chance on love again. I got this as an audiobook and the narrators do a good job of delivering all of those feels and tension and heat. Very satisfying ending as the last of this friend group finds their HEA.

~I’ve only read Test of Time (Book #3) but I didn’t have any issues keeping up with this one. If this is your first of the series, I think the biggest issue would be spoilers for previous stories because a lot of their issues are brought up here.~

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Review – The Bull Rider and the Bookworm

11 Saturday Jul 2026

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Book Review, Snow Creek Ranch series, The Bull Rider and the Bookworm, V.L. Locey


The Bull Rider and the Bookworm

Snow Creek Ranch series

by V.L. Locey

Blurb:

Sometimes the wildest ride isn’t in the arena – it’s falling in love.

Bull rider Hoyt Knox has spent his life chasing applause, adrenaline, and the next eight-second ride. With his body starting to break down and sponsors pulling out, he finds himself facing a possible life change. Confused and hurting, he heads to Snow Creek Ranch to try his hand at something a little easier as he heals while trying to figure out what’s left for him besides a sore back and a fading spotlight.

Enter Aubrey Lancombe, a quiet, bookish man who’s just moved to Chance to escape the city life – and the loss of his beloved grandmother followed by a bad breakup – and finally open the bookstore of his dreams. Aubrey has always preferred words to people, quiet to chaos, and certainly has no time for cocky cowboys with something to prove.

When their worlds collide over a shared love of poetry they strike up a friendship that teeters on the edge of something else entirely. But Hoyt’s not out and Aubrey is scared to fall again. As his time at Snow Creek Ranch passes Hoyt must decide if he’s ready to hang up his spurs for good – or risk his heart on the bookworm who’s rewritten everything he thought he knew about love.

The Bull Rider and the Bookworm
is a 58K opposites attract, age gap, gay MM contemporary western romance with a weary rodeo rider, a shy bookhound, a ranch that heals all manner of hurts, a gentleman rooster, a plethora of romantic poetry, and a shiny as a gold buckle happy ending.

Content Warning: This story has references to past sexual abuse and death of a parent.

*****

Review:

These two are so sweet and gentle and understanding with each other from the start. And it is just the absolute sweetest!

Hoyt is such a contradiction, probably because he’s spent so many years hiding who he is. He’s had to stuff down any softness that could be used against him and it’s made him so closed off. When an injury forces him home, and puts him face to face with his abusive father and the brother he left behind … it’s hard.

Then he meets sunshine and happiness personified in Aubrey. Aubrey is all sorts of bubbly, with a loud wardrobe, a big vocabulary, and an even bigger heart. His love for the stray cat and rooster that comes with his little cottage in the woods is absolutely precious. I just adore him.

These two are so different but fit so well. Both have experienced abuse from someone that should love them. Both have a poet’s heart. And both appreciate the other for exactly who they are. Gah, it’s so sweet!

(I didn’t read Jesse’s story, but this one can stand on its own.)

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Review – Bear Ink

11 Saturday Jul 2026

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Bear Ink, Bear Ink series, Book Review, CJ Pines

Bear Ink

Bear Ink #1

by CJ Pines

Blurb:

Two lonely men. One mind-blowingly fantastic night. Zero chance of ever meeting again…

Or, that was how it was supposed to go.

Never in his life did Dante imagine he’d be married, much less a widower before he’d made it past his twenties. Luckier than he deserved the first time around, who’d take a chance on a grump like him now?

The past two years haven’t been easy. Losing his muse, his sister urging him to move back to the reservation, struggling under a new boss, watching as the tattoo studio he’d trained in is run into the ground?

Yeah, Dante’s about to blow a fuse.

To top it off, now he’s getting dragged online by some faceless hack on the other side of town. It’s wrecking Dante’s reputation — and his clientele list.

Overworked, underpaid, and fed up with it all, what Dante needs is to find his center; someone willing to let Dante feel in control again, even if only for one night.

And look who just walked in…

Hello gorgeous.

Wes never felt comfortable in his own skin, even before the accident. Maybe that’s why he became a tattoo artist, who knows? He’d never bothered much with philosophy, focusing on his craft instead.

It’s harder than it was before. Wes can’t work the hours he used to; stuck taking more breaks, doomscrolling and lashing out at other artists way too talented to be wasted on the dreck they’re posting online. It’s a jerk move, sure, but he can’t seem to stop. It, like everything else in his life lately, all just spinning out of control.

So when he stumbles across a man with a cocksure grin; who measures Wes up with one look, eyes glittering with mischief as he demands Wes follow him to a nearby motel?

Wes may not be the kind of guy to ever score Mr. Right, but a one-night stand right out of his fantasies with Mr. Right-Now? Oh, yes Sir.

They didn’t even exchange names.

Perfect, it was perfect.

Until…

Bear Ink is an MM rivals to lovers tattoo artists romance.

Expect heavy elements of steamy open door MM romance, swearing, humor, angst, trust, communication, exploration, queer joy, competent characters, adorable awkwardness, and guys cooking breakfast together…

*****

Review:

I wish we’d gotten a longer story with this one. It’s a good introduction to a new series, leaving readers interested in each of Wes’s brothers. But I really liked Wes and Date, individually and together, and would have loved to have gotten more of their romance. There was so much to explore: Wes’s issues coming out of his accident, Dante’s moving on after his husband’s death, and the way their tattooing careers intersect. But what we are given is steamy and fun and emotion packed. There’s a hurt/comfort aspect as well as moving forward from trauma and it gives all the feels. I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing more of them as we get other stories from Bear Ink.

(I was given an ARC and there are some continuity issues that may have been cleaned up in the final copy.)

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Review – Endless Summer Nights

09 Thursday Jul 2026

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Book Review, Endless Summer Nights, Willow Aster, Windy Harbor Series

Endless Summer Nights

Windy Harbor #4

by Willow Aster

Blurb:

A steamy, second-chance, small-town, hockey romance full of heartbreak, heat, and the one he could never quite let go of from USA Today bestselling author Willow Aster.

Running into Lola Donavan wasn’t exactly on my summer agenda—not after she broke my heart in college. But there she is, at my family’s resort…with her new boyfriend. And not just any boyfriend—my hockey rival. Perfect.

Seeing Lola again is a punch to the gut. She’s even more beautiful than I remember, and the second our eyes meet, I know my feelings aren’t as buried as I’ve pretended. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, that whatever we had is long gone. But one look at her and I know I’m lying to myself.

Then fate throws us into each other’s path again—no boyfriend, no dissecting the past, just the two of us and a spark that instantly reignites. One night together proves the chemistry between us never died.

But desire is the easy part. Trust? Not so much.

She walked away once without a word, and it still haunts me. Now that she’s back in my life, I don’t know which is more dangerous—letting myself fall for her all over again, or bracing for the moment she leaves and breaks me a second time.

Endless Summer Nights is book four in the interconnected, standalone Windy Harbor series.

Goodreads: https://geni.us/EndlessSummerNightsGR

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://geni.us/EndlessSummerNights

Audible: https://geni.us/ESNAudible

Amazon Audiobook: https://geni.us/ESNAmazonAudio

Narrated by: Megan Wicks & Gideon Frost

*****

Review:

Oh goodness, every book in this series just gets better. We’re back with the angst as Tully runs into the one woman he hasn’t gotten over, the one who destroyed his heart. And it’s just as painful as you would expect. I love the way Aster gives us glimpses of their history as it plays into their relationship today. I’m not usually a fan of flashbacks but I felt this was really well done, helping to highlight their struggle and why their connection is so strong even after so many years.

But they have a lot to overcome. A lot of hurt feelings and heartbreak and more to address if they every hope to move forward. And it’s so satisfyingly done. It’s steamy in spots but it’s really the connection between them, the way they just fit together – from the first moment in college and even after years apart under difficult circumstances – that is the heart of their story. I just felt for them every step as they fight, first against their feelings and then for each other.

Aster is a must read for me and every new book just reinforces that. Endless Summer Nights is packed with heartbreak and second chances and sweet moments and heat. I love this family and it makes me so happy when each new couple finds their HEA.

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Review – Hide and Seek

06 Monday Jul 2026

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Appleton Falls series, Book Review, Felice Stevens, Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek

Appleton Falls #2

by Felice Stevens

Blurb:

I’m finally living the life I want as a deputy sheriff in the small town of Appleton Falls. I gave up my job as a cop in the NYPD to search for the truth about a father I barely know, except finding him brought me no peace.

But I’m happy. Really. I’d love to fall in love, but it just hasn’t happened. Yet.

Then he shows up to join our force.

My old high school nemesis, Dominic Starr. The gorgeous loner and the bane of my existence.

As well as my secret fantasy.

Why did he leave the NYPD? Was he running from his powerful father? Or hiding from him?

It’s not like he wants to forgive and forget and be friends. At every turn he’s in my face, taunting and teasing me with that stupid nickname he loves and knows I hate.

Starr should be careful, because he’s got secrets only I know.

And one of them is mine as well.

But when the past we both want to leave behind crashes into our present—with deadly consequences—neither of us can hide what we’ve been running from all our lives: The future we both seek is in each other’s arms.

If we make it out alive.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/0iKNLXBV

Available in KU

*****

Review:

I love Dom and Emerson together, and their enemies to lovers transition. It was a little insta-love once it got going but there was history there to help get them to that point. I think there was potential to develop on that even more, for a better understanding of their changing feelings, but I like them as a couple.

Stevens does add quite the suspense element to their love story and it packed a pretty big punch. We start with the shift from a strained association to something more and then BAM it gets hairy for Dominic, speeding us straight to the last chapter. I’d only read a couple of her hockey romances so this was a surprise for me. She packed in so much stress and fear and anguish to go with the love and steam and sweetness. And I ate up every page of it!

While I felt the evolution of their relationship could have used a little more something, the two were great together. The way they help each other create something that works for them and are there for each other when they need it. And I really got caught up in the suspense part of it. Not exactly what I was expecting (based on a very small sample size of two hockey books) but very much appreciated and I’ll definitely be looking for the next book in the series.

*****

Author Info:

Felice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.

Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. 

Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.

Felice is a two time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda Literary Award winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir.

Connect with Felice Stevens:

https://www.instagram.com/felicestevens

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Review – Home Ice

30 Tuesday Jun 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest

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Book Review, Home Ice, Saxon James

Home Ice

by Saxon James

Cover Design: Story Styling Cover Designs

Photography: Wander Aguiar Photography

Model: Jerrin

Discreet Cover Design: Emily Wittig

Blurb:

TAI

Ten years ago, I made the biggest mistake of my life.

When Hawke left for the NHL and my hockey dreams went up in smoke, I ghosted my best and longest friend. It made sense at the time, but there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t missed him.

So when we run into each other again, and his only response is “Do I know you?”, I know I deserve it. But I refuse to let one mistake keep us apart forever. Especially when he has bigger problems, and I’m in a position to help him.

JENSEN

All I wanted this offseason was to spend my time relaxing–not getting an emergency phone call from Mom to come home. My hometown is full of too many memories of me and Tai so I avoid returning there as much as I can.

But now I have one more memory to add to the list: my high school girlfriend.

And the kid we apparently had together.

Kasen hates me and thinks I abandoned them, and my only way to get to him is through his coach. My ex-best friend. The friend that has been impossible to forget. No matter how much I’ve tried.

Add to Goodreads Want to Read Shelf

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Read with Kindle & Kindle Unlimited

*****

Review:

I think, based on the blurb, that there is some expectation that this is ALL the angst buuuut it really isn’t there. It’s totally understandable that Hawke would be upset with Tai for ghosting him. And about having a son that apparently no one knew about. However if you are reading that and hoping for more, my apologies 🙂

I really enjoyed it tho as Tai and Hawke find their way back to each other, sliding into their close friendship like no time had passed and coming to the realization that maybe it was always something a little more. And poor Tai, who has carried so much on his shoulders for so long, needing to let someone in again to be there for him again. It’s so obvious how much he loves his dad, who makes a great supporting character in the story, but there’s so much guilt and pain wrapped up in the situation for him. Good thing Hawke is stubborn because Tai’s not going to make it easy.

I’ll agree that there could have been a bit more development of Hawke’s relationship with Kason. The book concentrates more on the two MMCs but I did love seeing them grow closer and Hawke realizing what’s important to him. And Kason is such a cute kid with a smart mouth, hiding his hurt, which is totally understandable, and he’s definitely keeping Hawke on his toes.

I’ve only read a couple of James’s books but she is recommended so often and I see why. I love that she brings the feels, doesn’t scrimp on the heat, and delivers it all in a way that has me hooked to the end. It’s not dramatic but it also isn’t easy and full of issues that feel real and give us an oh-so-satisfying HEA when they finally figure things out.

*****

Giveaway:

Enter the KingSumo Giveaway

*****

Author Info:

Saxon James unapologetically writes happy endings for LGBT+ characters.

While not writing, SM is a readaholic and Netflix addict who regularly lives on a sustainable diet of chocolate and coffee.

Member of SCBWI.

Website: https://saxonjamesauthor.com/

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3BNVADV

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2QSVCmS

Reader Group: http://bit.ly/36slT1W

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2SYfPKU

Instagram: https://bit.ly/33m1XPb

TikTok: https://bit.ly/3AvMmha

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ZXjp9C

BookBub: https://bit.ly/3fKt5MC

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Review – Found in the Falls

28 Sunday Jun 2026

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Book Review, Devon Falls series, Found in the Falls, J.E. Birk

Found in the Falls

Devon Falls #4

by J.E. Birk

Blurb:

He rescued me in New York. I followed him to Vermont.

After Dr. Milo Warner saves me from humiliation in a hotel hallway, I can’t stop thinking about him. When I get the chance to hide from my problems and open a community center with Milo in a small town called Devon Falls, I take that opportunity and run. But now things between the two of us are heating up fast. Milo protects me from runaway gondolas, takes care of me when I’m injured, shields me from my trauma, and sees power and strength in me that no one else ever has. We keep making jokes about the two of us being the perfect alpha/omega pair, but honestly? I’m not joking.

The problem is that it’s becoming more and more likely our parents will soon run against each other in a high-profile political primary race. Milo and I have both been burned by the public spotlight before, and we understand the dangerous territory we’re wading into. When we uncover a secret that’s been kept from our parents, one thing becomes clear: Milo and I will both need to take some big risks if we plan to fight for each other.

Found in the Falls comes with an older doctor who struggles to suppress his protective side, a younger social worker who just wants to make the world better, a sweet rescue dog they accidentally adopt together, and the Devon Falls found family they both desperately need. This is the fourth book in the Devon Falls series, but it can be read as a standalone.

*****

Review:

There is a little Alpha/Omega play (Omegaverse?) here and since it’s not my normal type of read I can’t answer how well the author delivers it. But I felt it works for them as a couple and the dynamic they are developing. I love that Noah gains confidence thru Milo’s protection and their deepening relationship.

There’s plenty of humor and steam and, my favorite, a large dose of found family as Noah settles into his job in Devon Falls. I love how Birk finds a way to mix a light-hearted read, with the depth of trauma & hurt that her main characters bring. It’s an easy read but with growth & feels.

I read Fanboy in the Falls, book 3 in this series, and really enjoyed it. It really wasn’t necessary in order to read this one but I like the fact that Birk and this series are pushing me a little outside my normal reads. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for what comes next.

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Review – Surprise Me Always

28 Sunday Jun 2026

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Book Review, Claimed On Sight series, Dani Elias, Surprise Me Always

Surprise Me Always

Claimed On Sight #2

by Dani Elias

Blurb:

A single weekend. A quiet connection. And a choice that refuses to be forgotten.

PHILIP

I wasn’t supposed to meet anyone. My life is already mapped out. Safe. Sensible. Predictable. Then I meet Mark.
One impulsive decision turns into a weekend I already know has an end date. It’s meant to be simple. Temporary. But it isn’t. Somewhere between the slow touches and the way he looks at me like I matter, it starts to feel dangerously real. And real is exactly what I can’t afford. So I leave. Because I always choose the life that makes sense, even when it feels like I’m walking away from something that could have been everything.

MARK

I didn’t expect Philip. I didn’t expect the way he gets under my skin, or how easily he lets himself feel when he forgets to hold back. He tells me it’s just a weekend. I can see the walls he hides behind, the careful distance he keeps. I let him go anyway. Because some people need to make their own mistakes before they’re ready to choose something real. But when he leaves, he takes more with him than he realises.

Distance should have been the end of it. Instead, it turns everything sharper, clearer, harder to ignore. Because it’s one thing to make the sensible choice. It’s another to live with it. Some risks aren’t worth taking. And some feel impossible to walk away from twice.

Surprise Me Always is a standalone MM romance set in an interconnected world. It is written in British English and can be read independently.

*****

Review:

I really enjoyed this as an instalove story. The two of them have an amazing weekend together, one where they fall so very quickly. But that’s not how things work, right? It’s not sensible to change your entire life for someone you’ve only known for a few hours, right?

I appreciate that Elias had them separate instead of just spend two days together and live HEA. It works, especially with Philip’s personality, and gives them an opportunity to really reflect on their time together. To decide what’s real.

Surprise Me Always mixes humor and emotion and steam in a fun little package. It’s such an easy read and well paced, with enjoyable characters and an adorable little neurotic hamster that steals the show.

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Review – The Troublemaker

25 Thursday Jun 2026

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Piper Rayne, The Dugout series, The Troublemaker

The Troublemaker

The Dugout #4

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

A fake marriage deal was never in my life’s plan.

Especially not to Easton Bailey.

Chicago Colts flashy shortstop.

The kind of man built for a good time and allergic to forever.

And the one who just slid a ring on my finger… on paper.

It’s supposed to be simple.

A mutually beneficial arrangement.

I play nanny to his son. He plays husband to my family.

No emotions. No complications. And absolutely no falling for each other.

Turns out pretending to be a family is the fastest way to break every rule we set.

Because he watches me like it was never just a deal.

Because he trusts me with the person who matters most.

Because the more we pretend, the less fake it feels.

And now the man who was never supposed to stay is the one I can’t lose.

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

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/ttm

Duet Narration by: Connor Crais & Christine Lakin
Also featuring: JF Harding, Sean Masters, Teddy Hamilton, CJ Bloom, Erin Mallon, Willa Jaymes, Meg Sylvan & Austin Stone

*****

Review:

Oh my goodness, daddy Easton is a dream – love me a single dad and reformed playboy mixed together! Even freaking out he’s swoony 🙂 Also love how supportive the Baileys are (no surprise) and my heart goes out to Hadley for not having that growing up. I would have liked to see more of her with the other girls because she needs more positivity and support in her life. But Easton definitely shows up for her. Ooof, then there’s Tanner’s mom resolution … Glad they all have created a little family unit together, to be there for each other because there were definitely times they needed it. (Found family like this is one of my favorite things in books.)

My only real complaint with this one is I would have loved a little more of Easton and Hadley from before. They seemed like they had a bit of a connection, not friends-with-benefits but maybe more benefits-with-a-friend. They develop a lovely little unit, pretty quickly, and I would like to have seen some hints of that before, ya know?

Piper Rayne delivers some delicious single dad, fake marriage, close proximity, single bed tropes with this one. I’m sad to see this group of friends go but I really enjoyed how they all got their HEA. And that epilogue not only ties things up wonderfully but definitely gives us a taste of what’s to come & I can’t wait!

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FTC Disclaimer - see bottom of page for complete statement, but please be aware that in many cases I am provided a book to read. However my opinions are my own & no guarantee of positive review is given by any party.

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I have received ARCs of books free from NetGalley (and many moons ago from BookTrib.com) to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher, author, or PR company. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affiliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any post.

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