Quarterback Trey Van Horn didnโt become the leagueโs MVP by accident. Years of self-discipline and iron-clad control have made him the envy of everyone in and around the game of football. But when he comes face-to-face with the one who got away, his tightly managed life is turned upside down. Now heโll do whatever it takes to score the greatest comeback of his life.
Sheโs tired of being every guyโs doormat.
London Headley is on the verge of having the career sheโs always dreamed of. Too bad the path to her promotion runs through the guy who broke her heart a decade earlier. So what if everything about the Milwaukee Growlers QB sets her panties on fire? Sheโs determined to keep things professional. Life has taught her that men will always choose somethingโor someoneโover her. Itโs going to take more than a Hail Mary to get her to buy into the fairy tale.
The only problem? Her lips donโt seem to want to follow the game plan. Not when Trey is executing an all-out blitz to prove heโs worth a second chance.
This one is definitely a slow burn second-chance romance. You have to be prepared that it takes pretty much half of the book before London stops actively pushing Trey away. Granted, she has a lot of reasons not to trust him. Or any man for that matter. But there is a lot of thinking about the past and her resisting any attraction that she feels for him, which not everyone enjoys.
Speaking of London, I do wonder a little bit about what changes her mind. She has good reason not to get involved with Trey again, and does a pretty good job of it, but things change and I’m not sure it was enough. I think that there needed to be some resolution on their past earlier, at least I would have wanted it in her situation. But then again he’s awfully, persuasively, seriously sexy on lots of levels.
Because while Trey does pursue London, he does it in a very respectful manner. He pushes her but he never crosses that boundary, respecting her wishes and letting her know it’s her choice. He’s not above a little seduction but he’s not icky about it.
You could see the ending coming a mile away but that doesn’t stop it from being any less satisfying. I appreciate that Solheim saw it through and didn’t take an easier way out. I also liked the whos, whats, and wheres of the big moment at the end. A little bit different and a good way to get to that HEA I wanted for them.
I’ve only read a couple of Solheim books (one being Double Dog Dare, another Milwaukee Growlers story), both of which I really enjoyed. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what else she has to bring us.
Love is the last thing on Justinโs mind. Sure, heโs noticed the big, shy guy who comes in for his coffee every morning, but Justin doesnโt have time to indulge in a crush. After his last disastrous breakup, he needs to get his head out of the clouds and focus on climbing out of debt with his pile of part-time jobs. The singing telegram gig is the most embarrassing by far, but at least no one will ever recognize him in his ridiculous costumes. Itโs temporary, just through the Valentine season.
Adam is in love. He just needs to drum up the nerve to do something about it. A daily smile from the cute guy behind the coffee counter is the bright spot in his day, keeping him going through the work week in an office filled with jerks. Especially when one of the jerks starts sending him romantic telegrams as a joke. Thereโs nothing he hates more than public humiliation. If he ever finds out whoโs behind it, heads will roll.
Love songs, lies, and an absurd amount of glitter pave the way to a romance neither of them expected. Adam is everything Justinโs ever dreamed of, but he can never discover Justinโs terrible, fuzzy, off-key secret.
This Valentineโs Day, Cupid doesnโt miss, even if he has terrible timing.
The stares started in the parking garage and only got worse as he entered the lobby.
This latest assignment brought him to one of the four high-rise buildings that defined downtown Belleview, the biggest one, some financial firm. It stood out against the mountain landscape like alien architecture that had dropped from the sky, dark and shining and bleak beside the trees and mountains jagged with life.
Ignoring the gobsmacked expressions on the receptionistsโ faces, he approached the front desk. โHi, how you doing? Iโm here to make a special delivery on the sixteenth floor.โ
The older of the two receptionists shushed the otherโs giggling as she dutifully tapped away at her computer. โName?โ
Out of habit, Justin almost glanced at a name badge he was no longer wearing. Instead, he passed along the crumpled order form in his sweaty gloved fist. โI represent Seasonโs Greetings, with a telegram delivery for Adam Hubert.โ
She perked up immediately, taking in his work uniform with a slowly spreading grin. โAdam Hubert, up in IT? Oh, honey, wish I was coming with you. Thatโs gonna be a sight to see.โ
Nothing in her words or her delivery inspired confidence. Oh well, some gigs were more difficult than others. Not everyone appreciated a personalized singing telegram. Justin had already run the gamut of reactions from delight to disgust, and now, he just wanted to get each assignment done so he could move on to the next. โCan you direct me to his office?โ
โSays right there on your paper. Floor 16, room 319. I promise youโll know him when you see him; he stands out around here. Not as much as you in that getup, but heโs never exactly blended in either. Big hulking guy, always wears a frown, nobody can get a smile out of him. Folks up on his floor call him โLurch.โโ She added that final aside in a stage whisper with a conspiratorial air that rubbed Justin the wrong way.
He retrieved his order form and stuffed it in his pocket. โThat doesnโt seem like a very nice name to call somebody.โ
โHeโs not very popular. Alright, hereโs your badge.โ She slapped a little barcode sticker on his furry chest with uncalled-for glee. โThat should let you in the right doors. Tell Charlene up in reception to call me when you get there. I wanna listen in.โ
He left with a half-hearted wave, his bossโs ancient boom box weighing heavily in his hand. โThanks.โ
Cross My Candy Heart A.C. Thomas ยฉ 2024 All Rights Reserved
*****
Review:
This book has all the corn syrupy feels you would expect from a Valentine’s Day novella. Justin and Adam together have that OTT cute & funny thing going on and the meet-cute between the two & the sweet interactions once they start actually talking to each other is just the bestest. There was plenty of awww moments and a quite a few chuckles before the end.
Being a novella, it does’t take long to get to the conflict and their happily ever after but I liked them so much I really wish we’d gotten more. I wanted to know more about why Adam feels the way he does about himself, how he is with his coworkers and others besides Justin. And I wanted more of Justin finally getting a good relationship and getting himself back on his feet. And I really wished I’d gotten a bit of a better conclusion to the “secret admirer”. I guess there’s always some of that with a novella but can we make this into a longer book, please?
But I think the fact that even with all those wants I still finished it with a smile shows that Thomas does a really good job of creating those characters and moving them through well to that HEA ending.
*****
Author Info:
A.C. Thomas left the glamorous world of teaching preschool for the even more glamorous world of staying home with her toddler. Between the diaper changes and tea parties, she escapes into fantastical worlds, reading every romance available and even writing a few herself.
She devours books of every flavorโscience fiction, historical, fantasyโbut always with a touch of romance because she believes there is nothing more fantastical than the transformative power of love.
Iโve been friends with Cooper Rice from the moment we met. He was just as famous a decade ago on our college campus as he is now being the star quarterback for the Chicago Grizzlies.
But heโs not only talented on the field, heโs also the gorgeous football star women fawn over, posing in underwear and razor ads.
Hereโs a secret those women donโt knowโCooper Rice isnโt a playboy. Heโs the kind of man who wants to settle down with a family. Heโs content ordering pizza and massaging my feet after my long shift as an emergency room doctor. He listens to me as if heโs as invested as I am in my patients. He has never let me down.
This is exactly why I refuse to live without Cooper in my life. Eight years ago, I made him promise me that weโd never cross that line. And just like I knew Cooper would, heโs held to that promise.
Despite our best efforts, our relationship is evolving, shifting into new territory and I find myself unsure if I want Cooper to keep that promise. Ignoring the obvious could tear us apart, but so could giving in, meaning thereโs a chance Iโll lose Cooper forever no matter what decision I make.
There’s a comment at the end that the authors find it hard to write a friends-to-lovers story and I agree that it can be hard to pull off. I think they did well with what they had. I appreciated that they didn’t do a ton of flashbacks to their college years (I struggle with that as a reader) and that they concentrated the first half on the “will they” and the second half on the transition.
Cooper is just about perfect, as he has been throughout the series. He does pretty much everything for Ellery and lets her set the rules when it comes to their relationship, even when it isn’t what he wants. It’s worked so far … until it doesn’t any more.
Elle struggles a lot with what she wants. She’s allowed her dad to dictate her career (and a good portion of her life) so any changes to her relationship with Cooper scares her. But losing him would be even worse.
I can definitely see both sides of this relationship and what brings them to the brink of throwing everything away. While I appreciate that their struggles get them to their HEA, I do wish Elle had maybe handled things a little differently. I still really enjoyed the story but once I saw where it was heading I kinda didn’t want to go there ๐
Piper Rayne knows how to deliver somewhat spicy romances with a satisfying HEA. I always plow through their stories, enjoying the characters and their struggles and finishing them in just a couple of days. They have definitely become a must read for me!
*****
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!
From New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby comes an all-new small-town series set in Montana, starting with WILD FOR YOU, an Age-Gap, Single Dad, Nanny, Grumpy/Sunshine romance!
Wild for You
The Wilds of Montana series
by Kristen Proby
Blurb:
Remington Wild is a single dad of two adorable kids, and as the oldest son of the Wild family, has recently taken over the Wild River Ranch from his father. Life is crazy, and heโs finally willing to admit that he needs help, and the sooner the better. He has no idea that the beautiful woman he sees every day at Bitterroot Valley Coffee Co. is the woman who would show up for the job.
Erin Montgomery couldnโt get out of Seattle fast enough. Itโs not that she doesnโt love her big, loud family, but living in the big city just wasnโt for her. The minute she stepped foot in Bitterroot Valley, she knew she was home. She loves the slower pace, the friendly people, and her job at the coffee shop. Even the smoking hot grumpy guy who stops in every afternoon canโt put a damper on how much she loves small town life!
Thanks to car trouble, and her stubbornness when it comes to using her trust fund, Erin needs a second job and applies for the position of a part-time nanny. Sheโs surprised to find that itโs Grumpy himself who answers the door at the ranch, but Erin quickly learns that she loves his kids and the ranch, and itโs a no-brainer to take the job. She just has to remind herself to resist the sexy rancher and keep it strictly professional.
Remington is attracted to his younger nanny, and finds himself falling headfirst in love with her. He and his kids have never been happier, and he knows she is the perfect addition to their family for as long as sheโs willing to stay. Hopefully forever.
But when secrets are exposed, one of which endangers his children, will their love survive? Or will it tear them apart?
If you read The Stand-In, then you were there when Erin decided to stay in Bitterroot Valley. It’s been a few months and she’s settling in, fully embracing her new small town lifestyle. She loves the people, the town, and Montana. She even loves trying to get a response from the grumpy (and gorgeous) guy who comes into the coffee shop every afternoon.
Remington Wild has a lot on his plate being a single dad and taking over being in charge of the family ranch. The last thing he needs is to be attracted to the new girl in town. Even more so when she becomes his nanny.
There’s not a lot going on here, except for a bit of a suspense element in the last half, but that works for me. I enjoy a slow burn romance so it was nice getting to know Rem and Erin, Rem’s family and the others in town, and seeing Erin fit in so well with Rem’s kids (who are just adorable). Things aren’t always smooth but they figure it out with a little patience and some work on their communication skills.
While there is nothing all that new, I liked Proby’s latest. I thought Erin and Rem are cute together – she helps brighten his day then later lighten his load and he shows her the beauty (and danger) that can be found in her new home. It’s a good start to a new series, introducing some possible future plot lines, and even though Erin is from a prior series Proby does a good job of making sure that anyone can join her on her new adventure. All needed information is provided so new readers can easily keep up.
*****
Author Info:
Kristen Proby is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over seventy published titles. She debuted in 2012, captivating fans with spicy contemporary romance about families and friends with plenty of swoony love. She also writes paranormal romance and suggests you keep the lights on while reading them.
When not under deadline, Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband and their fur babies, riding her bike, relaxing with embroidery, trying her hand at painting, and, of course, enjoying her beautiful home in the mountains of Montana.
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a heartwarming story about the choices we make and the love we let into our lives…
Luna Wright is a lot of things, but sweet and trusting aren’t on the list. However, sheโs a sucker for the underdog and a hard-luck story. Adopted at birth, with scant knowledge of her biological family, sheโs created her own inner circle, a motley crew which includes her bestie Willow, to help her run the struggling but charming Apple Ridge Farm.
With a farm-to-table cafรฉ as well as a menagerie of rescued animals (complete with a baby goat who keeps escaping to the pantry to eat the secret stash of decidedly not organic potato chips), itโs the best home sheโs ever known. But when Silas, the owner who they secretly call The Grinch, passes away, Luna discovers the farm is now under the control of both his investment manager, the enigmatic Jameson Hayesโฆ.and her. And that Silas had many, many secrets.
Now Lunaโs carefully controlled corner of the world is threatened and sheโalong with some of her friendsโhas to dig deep to find true strength and the real meaning of love and family.
~
Review:
There are things that you come to expect from a Shalvis book – witty banter, quirky characters, and an emotional journey to a HEA. She delivers all and more with The Bright Spot.
Both Luna and Jameson have abandonment issues from their childhoods that they’ve handled in different ways. Luna surrounds herself with people that she loves but doesn’t really let them all the way in. Jameson keeps on the move and doesn’t stay anywhere long enough to form a deeper connection. Thrown together to save Apple Ridge Farm, they may have finally found the person that will help them put their pasts to rest and look to the future.
I enjoyed all the antics, both human and animal, at the farm – their adventures, hijinks, and lack of regard for personal space. It means there is a decent amount of humor mixed in with deeper moments. And if I have any complaint, it’s that there really wasn’t enough of them ๐
If you’ve ever enjoyed a Shalvis story, then you know what you are going to get. But just because it isn’t anything new, doesn’t mean that it isn’t a delightful read. It has the feels. It has the playfulness. It has the characters that you like and root for to find that happy ending. And, of course, a HEA that leaves you satisfied and reminds you why you read her books in the first place.
(Part of a series because they are set in the same area, but they are all independent and read as a stand alone.)
The first book in the sexy new bodyguard series set in the Package Deal World.
The Rockstar
Portland Protectors- EHM Security Series, Book 1
by Emerson Beckett & Rheland Richmond
Blurb:
Adam Spencer โ โThe Rockstarโ
Hereโs what I know — some people arenโt meant to find love.
And as much as I want to be someoneโs everything, thatโs not meant for me.
After a painful breakup, I channeled all my hurt into a song that has skyrocketed my band, Fallen Angel, to the top of the charts.
Now I need protection from the one person who was supposed to love me no matter whatโmy mother.
Whether I want him or not, I now have a sexy, silver-tongued southern charmer as my 24/7 bodyguard.
Iโve tried not to fall for him, because I donโt do relationships. They hurt too much.
But Michael has me thinking I could take one more chance to find love.
Or was I meant to be alone like I thought all along?
Michael Coleman โ โPhantomโ
Iโve always been a protector. During my career as a Navy SEAL, my duty was to protect my four best friends.
Now I need to protect the sexy rock star I love flirting with every time he walks in the door to our EHM office.
Adam Spencer lights me up like no one ever has. And thatโs saying something.
Iโll do whatever it takes to protect him, even from himself.
Have I finally found the love Iโve been hoping for with the Rockstar?
The Rockstaris a flirty, friends-to-lovers, bodyguard and rockstar MM Romance that takes place in the Package Deal SeriesWorld. It can be read as a stand-alone book.
Trigger Warning: There is off the page reference to physical abuse to a minor. Off the page domestic violence and death of a mentioned character.
I pulled up to the window and handed the smiling girl my card. โHere ya go, darlinโ.โ
Adam went to retrieve his wallet, but I waved him off. โBusiness expense.โ
I watched as she gathered our food and put it in the bag.
โWould you like one of our loyalty cards? You can get a free item if you come back enough,โ she asked, smiling at me.
โWhy yes, please,โ I replied, returning her smile.
I watched as she added napkins to the bag before handing it to me. I then handed it to Adam, who sat there with his head cocked to one side, looking at me.
I smirked and turned my attention back to the girl in the window.
โHere you go,โ she said with a wink as she handed me my credit card. โCome back and see us again.โ
I smiled at her. โThank you.โ
Pulling away from the window, I put my credit card back in my wallet, then placed the loyalty card with her name and phone number on the back onto the dash. When I closed it, I could see he hadnโt moved and was watching me like a bug under a microscope.
I chuckled. โWhat?โ
โDo you flirt with everyone?โ
โWhat do you mean? She was flirting with me.โ
Adam laughed. โYou started it!โ
โI did no such thing,โ I said, pulling out of the drive thru. โShe started it, and I didnโt want to embarrass her by not playing along.โ
Adamโs high-pitched strangled noise drew my attention. โYou called her โdarlinโโ like youโre a cowboy on the range wrangling cows or something.โ He was mimicking me, and it made me smile.
Now it was my turn to laugh. โI did, but Iโm telling youโshe started it.โ
โHow?โ he asked incredulously. I imagine if he could put his hands on his hips, he would have.
I guess I had to share this with him. โShe gave me the smile.โ
Adam shifted to look at me. โWhat smile? I really think youโre imagining things.โ
โNo, Iโm not. She smiled that smile with her eyes, like a girl does when she wants you to ask her out. You know what I mean.โ
He barked out a laugh. โNo, the fuck I donโt. Iโm gay.โ
โBut youโre a rockstar. Girls have to hit on you.โ
He snorted. โYeah, they do. But Iโm usually paying more attention to their boyfriends.โ
I laughed at his response and shook my head.
Damn, this was going to be fun.
*****
Review:
I loved this book. Then again, I also loved pretty much everything about the Package Deal series so I’m not surprised. These two deliver enjoyable HEAs time and time again.
Adam has some abandonment and self-worth issues left over from his childhood and he’s feeling raw from the end of his last relationship. Having given up on love, he’s content getting ready for his tour and having fun flirting with a certain ex-SEAL.
Michael is demiromantic and hasn’t really experienced that deeper connection with anyone before. While he enjoys teasing Adam, this time it seems a little different. When there’s a threat to Adam his protective side comes out and it doesn’t take long to realize that it definitely means something more.
Adam and Michael’s interactions are all in fun at first but then quickly develop into a romantic connection. Michael is so patient with Adam as he deals with his trauma from being abused and abandoned by his mother. Michael’s unwavering support helps Adam realize that he is worthy of love & commitment. It’s endearing and low angst and very satisfying.
The stalker/blackmailer story line isn’t as huge a part of the story as the romance, which surprised (and dismayed) some. But it does work to get these two together and to give Michael an excuse to find Adam’s father. Which is all sorts of heart-warming and helps to put some of Adam’s ghosts to rest.
Cole & Patrick’s relationship has a pretty decent side story here too, which makes sense as they are both very important parts of Adam’s life and they’ve all been close for decades. It also heavily sets up the next book, which some found a little too much for this story.
(Speaking of which – Rheland! Emerson! Why did you have to tease us so much with Cole and Patrick? And seriously that preview for the next book! Readers, don’t read it unless you want to be anxiously waiting for The Linebacker which doesn’t release for another 2 months! I’ll be sitting on pins and needles until March. *sigh*)
Emotional, funny, and sweet, The Rockstar is a gratifying start to a new series. Both characters are likeable, they are entertaining together, and watching their relationship develop into something more made me so happy.
(At first, I thought this one could stand on its own but after reading some of the other reviews I think maybe it CAN but probably shouldn’t. There are a lot of characters from the Package Deal world who are either mentioned or make an appearance. And while they don’t play a direct role here I know that it can be confusing and annoying when you don’t know who they are. But then again those books are good reads so you can’t go wrong starting there are ending here ๐ )
*****
Author Info:
Rheland Richmond
For as long as she can remember, Rheland’s had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else’s creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.
Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.
She’s just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.
Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about y’all. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.โฉ
Emerson Beckett is new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. Itโs even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.
The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people sheโs ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond. Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, which includes The Quarterback Keeper, Pass Interference,Unnecessary Roughness, Two-Point Conversion, Illegal Motion, Ineligible Receiver, and one more upcoming book in the series. She plans to release her first solo book in 2023.
Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 32 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.
Emerson would love to hear from her readers. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.โฉ
The hockey has-been, the barista, and some holiday magicโฆ
Court Cut from the team, fired my agentโฆnow what?
This canโt be it for me. Unfortunately, the phone isnโt ringing. My best bet is to head home for the holidays and regroup.
Problem: I donโt know what to do with myself. Helping out at the rink might be my ticket out of here, but nothing is happening fast enough. And then thereโs Ivan. No, no, itโs not what you think. We went to school together. Weโre acquaintance-friendsโฆnothing more.
But you know, I like him. A lot. Heโs funny and relentlessly upbeat. Iโm a better person when Iโm with himโthe kind who volunteers to deck the halls and wrap garland on lampposts andโ
Whoa. Whatโs happening here?
Ivan I love the holidays! But running the coffee shop on my own during the busiest season of the year is going to be a challenge. And the sudden appearance of my former crush is all kinds of distracting.
See, I spent my formative years mooning over Court Henderson, our high schoolโs hockey phenom, even though he was out of my league. Thankfully, I grew up and left the silly remnants of my youth behind. Or did I?
Grown-up Court is full of surprises, and under his gruff yet extremely fine exterior, heโs a good soul with a huge heart. Heโs charming, sweet, handsome, andโ Uh-oh.
My crush is back. Just in time for the holidaysโฆ
Holiday Crush is an MM bisexual, small town romance featuring a renewed ancient crush, some mistletoe latte art, and a little seasonal magic.
Court shook his head at my amazing, incredible Christmas tree on his way to the door. โI canโt get over that thing. Itโs wild.โ
I beamed. โI know. I love it. I buy a regular tree too, even though itโs holiday overkill. But who cares? This is my favorite time of year, and I celebrate to the nth degree!โ
He shoved his arms into his jacket, a playful grin on his handsome mug. โAnd do you celebrate by watching scary movies and stringing candy corn and plastic spiders into garland?โ
โNo, smartass, but damn, thatโs a great idea for Halloween next year.โ
He chuckled. โSoโฆwhat do you do for Christmas?โ
I braced my left hand on the doorjamb and cast a quick glance at the fireplace to keep from staring at my guest. Standing a foot apart in the cramped doorway between my foyer and living room felt oddly intimate. Court took up space in my tiny abode, with his broad shoulders, towering height, and big muscles. I was more aware of him than ever. It took me a second to gather my thoughts and remember what we were talking about.
Christmas. Right.
โThe usualโdecorate my house, string lights outside, drape fresh garland everywhere. And yes, thereโs always mistletoe. I also watch holiday movies and listen to Christmas music from mid-November till the end of the year. I bake cookies too, which always turn out to be a hot mess, but baking is festive and fun, and my family and friends are kind enough to compliment me anyway. AndโฆI sign up for every holiday event in town, including the Skate with Santa party at the rink, caroling at Wood Hollowโs Home for the elderly, Toys for Tots Sled Fest next to the Christmas Tree Farm in Fallbrook, and of course, Holiday Bingo. By the way, all of those, including Bingo, have volunteer positionsโฆif youโre interested.โ
โIโd rather shovel snow in Siberia,โ he deadpanned.
I grinned. โYour holiday spirit needs a tune-up.โ
โYeah, yeah. I donโt do holiday spirit.โ
โThatโs an awful thing to say!โ
โWhy? Thereโs no point. Iโm usually on the road, so Iโve never bought a tree and I donโt always remember to buy gifts, either. My brother shamelessly shows me up every holiday. Oren bought our folks an oil painting of their ten-year-old golden retriever a couple of years ago. And it was really nice. I bought Mom the same gloves I bought her the previous year and the wrong-sized slippers for Dad.โ
โOh, dear. Well, Iโm happy to help you this year. Iโm an expert at gift-giving andโwhatโs so funny?โ
โHa. Ha.โ I moved by him to unlock the door. โGood-bye, Grinch.โ
He snickered. โLater. And thanks for tonight. It was fun.โ
โYeah. It was,โ I agreed, smiling as he stepped closer.
This was where I was supposed to shuffle out of the way to give him room to slip outside without letting the cold inside, but my feet were seemingly glued to the floor. And now, we were inches apart. So close I could see flecks of gold in his blue eyes and a scar half-hidden in his left brow. I should have jumped away and laughed off this little dance before I accidentally made it awkward.
Too late.
Ugh. Now I was staring at him and he was staring at me andโฆhis mouth was right there, hovering over mine. I could feel his breath on my lips and smell gin and something woodsy and masculine on his skin. And nope, I couldnโt resist.
I leaned in, set my palm on his chest and pressed my lips to Courtโs.
And that was the match that started the fire.
*****
Review:
I loved this story and read it in less than a day. It’s perfect as a holiday read, full of winter cheer & fun with minimal drama.
Ivan is a delight, with his mix of brashness, charm, and awkwardness. He’s a proud romantic and embraces everything about the holidays. Court on the other hand doesn’t really want anything to do with the season, especially now that he’s at loose ends. But a few run-ins with Ivan soon has him embracing what Elmwood has to offer. Especially the sexy barista.
Court already accepts his bisexuality, which helps keep the angst to a minimum. I don’t mind a bi-awakening, they can be interesting and full of emotion (like Next Season). But here our main characters get to move straight into getting to know each other again … and getting to KNOW each other. It’s steamy but also playful and sweet. The first book, You Again, might not have been quite my thing, but everything else by Hayes has been a delight and Holiday Crush is no different. I’m so ready for what she delivers next.
(Although this is book three in the series, I feel like it can be read as a stand alone. There are returning characters, and Ivan & JC’s amusingly unusual friendship was a highlight in book two, there’s not anything that would have directly impacted this story.)
*****
Author Info:
Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters.ย She loves wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and her fabulous pup, George.
Never in my life did I think Iโd wager in my head whether to sleep with Chicago Grizzlies wide receiver, Damon Siska.
Heโs the perfect packageโhot body, killer smile, and flirts like he earned a doctorate in it. But anyone who reads gossip blogs knows he is looking for one amazing night and nothing more.
Iโm not the usual type of woman he beds. Iโm a middle school teacher who cherishes her quiet nights in, drinking wine, and watching romantic comedies, dreaming Iโm the heroine. Iโm not embarrassed to admitโI want the fairy tale.
But Damon caught me at a weak moment. Fresh off a break-up and feeling lousy about myself, I gave into temptation and left the next morning like every other woman heโd slept with.
Except I walked away with more than just the memories when three weeks later the little white stick glowed with two pink lines.
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I think that if you haven’t read Something Like Hate you’re probably going to be a little confused about Damon. Everyone is referencing how he is this playboy who sleeps around but since this book starts when he finds out about Adeline’s pregnancy we don’t see it. Instead he shows himself to be an amazingly caring, responsible, and giving guy. Going by just what you see here, he’s so very easy to fall in love with. Which of course Adeline does, complicating their co-parenting situation.
I’m not a fan of hiding and teasing a main character’s reason for doing things. We know there is something in Damon’s past that causes him to be afraid to commit but it isn’t until basically the end that we find out what it was. And for me it wasn’t developed quite enough to be a satisfying issue/resolution. But since the rest of their relationship was so dang adorable and I really like them together, I’m not letting it affect my satisfaction with the rest of their story.
Maybe not my favorite of Rayne’s stories, but definitely a good read and maybe one of my favorite male leads on their’s. I love Damon as the reforming rake fighting his feelings and he’s beyond adorable as the doting dad. Adeline is a good match for him. She’s down-to-earth but feisty and won’t let anyone walk all over her when it comes to her child and what she feels is best. But she also understands Damon’s position and is willing to work with him. It creates minimal drama but a whole lot of sweetness and fun.
*****
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!
From ex-con to self-made millionaire, thereโs no challenge too tough for Cash Sweeney to conquer. So why has he spent twelve years pining for his best friend instead of doing something about it? Because losing Nick would be like existing with half of his heart. Is it better to settle for what he can have or battle for what he wants?
Banged up and burned out, FBI Agent Nick Scott arrives at Redemption Ridge with a trunkful of luggage and a yearning heart. Cash is easy to love but hard to read, and Nick fears his epiphany has come too late. Does he tuck his tail and run or fight for the man whoโs become his home?
Tender gestures and heartfelt conversations lead to thrilling revelations neither man can ignore. No more what-ifs or maybes. Cash and Nick are all in. And theyโll need each other more than ever when a devious enemy emerges from the shadows to put their promising future at risk. With the stakes so high, will the guys double down or fold to pressure?
Saints Like Him is book three in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Saints Like Him contains mature themes and is intended for adults.
Content Warning: homophobia, abuse, and conversion therapy are briefly discussed in this book, though no graphic descriptions are used.
Cash pursed his lips while studying the chip selection at the grocery store in Last Chance Creek. What snack was most suitable for a forty-nine-year-old man while bingeing the newest season of Heartstopper? Cash wasnโt one to use his age as a reason to avoid many things, but he wasnโt proud of his obsession with the series about queer teenagers and their first loves. Their vitality and innocence sometimes made him feel older than dirt, but mostly it made him grateful that a new generation could see themselves in the characters.
It was unlikely Cashโs life wouldโve turned out differently if heโd had positive representation as a teen. Heโd lost his mom to poverty and drugs and had gone to live with strangers at a time when he was figuring things out about himself. Cash hadnโt felt comfortable coming out, or letting others in, until he was thirty. Heโd rebuilt his life from the ashes of his past and had been tired of living a lie. The penniless dirt track racer had to pretend, but the successful technology inventor did not. Cash had thought his newly gained wealth would insulate him from scrutiny and scorn, but it only perpetuated the narrative that he was an outsider who didnโt belong. But those closed doors and snubs didnโt deter him; they fueled the perpetual fire in his soul and made him richer.
He couldnโt think of a single hard knock heโd change because theyโd all led him to this point. Well, maybe not to standing in a grocery store staring at the same bag of Fritos for a solid ten minutes. He meant his ranch, his people, and the journey heโd taken to have them in his life. Contentment didnโt negate his few regrets or warm his bed, but the one man who could fix both problems was across the country. Who the hell was he kidding? It wouldnโt have mattered if Nick was at Quantico, on Mars, or standing beside Cash. He was off-limits. Cash just needed to convince his foolish heart of that factโa feat he hadnโt accomplished in twelve years. But had he really tried that hard?
A warm, masculine chuckle invaded his thoughts, and Cash jerked his head to find Seth Burke approaching him. He bit back a snort. Burke didnโt approach; he swaggered with big dick energy. The sheriff was a good five inches taller, a few years younger, and had the persistence of a bloodhound when it came to Cash. Burkeโs uniform consisted of a pressed khaki shirt, dark denim jeans, boots, and a white Stetson hat. Cash wasnโt sure what shone brighter in the storeโs overhead lightsโthe shiny sheriff star pinned to Burkeโs shirt or his white, toothy grin. Damn, but the man was fine as hell with jet-black hair, gray eyes, and sun-kissed skin. No matter the time of day, that superhero square jaw was clean-shaven to show off his magnificent bone structure. Why the hell couldnโt Cash return the manโs interest? He could trade heartache for the kind of twinges and stings that left a man smiling instead of moping.
โWhatโd that bag of chips do to you?โ Burke asked when he reached Cash. His voice was jovial, pure good ole boy, but the tension around Burkeโs mouth betrayed him.
Cash snorted and faced his friend. โI was just lost in thought.โ He glanced down and saw Burke had already placed several items in his basket. โI didnโt see your truck in the parking lot.โ
A dark brow arched. โOr you wouldโve kept driving?โ
Cash sighed. โOf course not. I was just making conversation.โ
โThe inane kind you make when youโve been avoiding your friend?โ Burke pressed.
Were they friends? They met for lunch regularly at the diner and texted often, so definitely more friendly than acquaintances.
*****
Review:
This series has not been stand alone stories and the latest is no different. Someone else mentioned it felt like an extended epilogue and I think I can agree with that. We find out why Salvation Anew has been causing trouble for Redemption Ridge and get to see Cash & Nick finally decide to stop dancing around each other. It’s satisfying from an overall story perspective but may leave some readers wanting for something more robust.
I love Cash – how level headed, caring, and strong he is. He obviously cares about his guys and his community, willing to do just about anything to help them and to right any wrongs he can. We’ve known since the beginning that there was something going on between him and Nick but we didn’t know exactly what. And we finally find out. I can’t decide how I feel about Cash with Nick though. For someone who has come across as so put together for so long, it’s a bit of a disconnect to see him so unsure and vulnerable. On one hand it’s reassuring to know that he has a weakness for someone so important to him but it’s also a little discomforting. Kinda like life.
We also find out a lot more about Nick & his feelings about Cash and we get small glimpses of their time together. The connection they have is strong enough to survive 12 years of separation and the hardships that life gave them. But those long years of only being friends also means that when they finally decide to chance their friendship for what their hearts have been craving they slide right into being a couple. There’s very little drama but a whole lot of sweetness as they show each other how much they care with special gestures, small and large.
I don’t know if this is another of those times when the fact that I’m a straight female means that I ask “is that sexy” or “do people really say that” more than once. I don’t think I did that in the first two stories (and I didn’t mention it in eitherreview) but I did notice it in an unrelated book I read by this author. It may be the way Walker writes or it may just be me ๐
Steamy and emotional, Walker brings her readers the resolution to this couple that they have been waiting for. And sets up future stories wonderfully – I can’t wait to see what trouble Rue can cause or what makes Owen & Tyler finally get their act together. Looking forward to more of the men from Redemption Ridge.
*****
Author Info:
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titlesโwife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.
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Thor meets Tony Hawk in this comedic, low-angst/high spice MM romance about a serious hockey goalie who is drawn out of his shell by a bratty skateboarder, a dare involving cake, and a lesson in how to use joysticks-for video games of course.
Bad Pucking Influence
Colorado Bulldogsย #2
by Michele Lenard
Blurb:
On the surface, Iโve got it all. Iโm the starting goalie and Captain of the Colorado Bulldogs hockey team. Iโve got more money than I know what to do with. I can count an entire team of elite athletes as my friends. And according to the pundits, Iโm an eligible bachelor.
That’s the image everyone sees, but itโs just a role I play. A part dictated by my career. I have to be just as perfect off the ice as I am on it since everything I do reflects on my team in some way or another. So, those questions I have about why I donโt crave sexual contact the way my teammates doโquestions Iโm afraid to ask with the world watchingโฆ I decided a long time ago it didnโt make sense to look for answers until after I retire.
Then I ran into him.
Tripp is loud, obnoxious, and full of confidence. Some people find his sass off-putting, but not me. I find it intriguing, and I admire his ability to be himself, consequences be damned. Apparently, I also admire the way he looks, since my eyes seem to linger on him longer than they should, and when he sets his sights on meโฆ
Waiting for retirement to explore who I am seems like too big a sacrifice, so when Tripp offers to help me answer some of those questions about myself, I jump.
I’m tired of pretending to be Mr. Perfectโฆ Tripp and his playboy antics might be just the thing I need to figure out who I am outside of hockey. The only problem is, everyoneโincluding our mutual friendsโsee him as a bad pucking influence.
Bad Pucking Influence is a low-angst, high-spice MM romance featuring a hockey player and a brat, not a hockey book featuring a romance. Fans of bratty playboys and gentle giants will enjoy this light-hearted, steamy yet touching love story.
Since I first saw Tripp at a team barbeque Xander dragged him to last summer, Iโve found myself noticing him more and more. In my defense, itโs hard not to. Standing at six feet, with perfectly mussed bleached-blond hair and dark stubble thatโs hard to miss since the contrast is so stark, itโs the mischievous tilt of his lips that really captures my attention. I often find myself wondering whatโs going on in his mind, particularly since heโs a professional at giving people the shock-and-awe treatment. His antics amuse me more than they should, even when they involve silly excuses to measure my biceps with his hands.
Between his loud looks and even louder personality, he doesnโt exactly fade into the background, and if Iโm being honest, I find his brash nature freeing. I sort of like that heโs become a bit of a regular fixture in our social circle. Whatโs confusing to me is that itโs not just his personality that catches my attention. His appearance fascinates me, especially now, with him skating around shirtless.
Tall and lean, every muscle is on display, showing off a smattering of tattoos that would otherwise be hidden. Theyโre kind of mesmerizing to watch as they ripple under his skin. So is the youthful gleam in his eye. Itโs not arousing exactly, but itโs something. Something Iโve yet to put a label on, but I only seem to experience it around him. Which might mean sitting here watching him is a bad idea, at least until I sort out some of my confusion.
If only I could look away.
*****
Review:
I liked the characters – Noah is a big, ol’ teddy bear and Tripp is as in-your-face as you can get – but there’s definitely something more lurking beneath the surface of both. We get an understanding of Noah’s pretty early on, and Tripp is definitely all in for helping him explore his sexuality, which means he also brings his own baggage into their situation. There’s a reason he’s not willing to get involved with people and it takes a while to share it with us. I don’t know that everyone is willing to put in the time needed to go from casual sex to Tripp opening up & spilling all his secrets but I found it a satisfying resolution to their relationship.
While it isn’t necessary to have read the first book, Bad Pucking Timing, I do think it will help with how quickly Noah and Tripp fall into a sexual relationship together. It also gives a better look at the fun, & supportive, side of Tripp and how he & Noah have gotten to this point. While the beginning is oh-so-steamy, I think that foundation may be needed so that Tripp’s bratty side is better understood and to help readers get through the slower transition of their relationship.
*****
Author Info:
Michele is a tomboy who writes contemporary romance (usually sports themed) that is both sweet and steamy. Her goal is to make you fan your face as you wipe a tear from your eye. Her books are part of a series but there are no cliffhangers so each can be read as a standalone. When she isn’t reading or writing she enjoys the outdoors, something that pops up in her books from time to time.
Romantic Reads and Such 