It all started with a song. Two neighbors singing duets in the shower finally meet at an open mic night. Sparks fly, but will it lead to true love?
Levi Benowitz
The walls in my new apartment are so thin that I can clearly hear my neighbor singing in his shower. Sounds annoying, right? Well, believe it or not, he actually has a really great voice and doing duets with him is quickly becoming the best part of my day. We’ve never met, but the hopeless romantic in me is spinning high hopes for our first encounter.
Imagine my surprise while performing at my open mic one night, the cutie in the audience who captivates me introduces himself as my duet-singing neighbor. Not only does he have the voice of an angel, but he has the face to match. Then, be still my romantic heart, his wicked sense of humor makes him even more attractive. I’m ready for our happily ever after, but he needs some convincing.
Will I be able to come up with the right playlist to persuade him to give our perfect duet a chance?
Noctis Ralston
How odd am I? Iโm a โfall in love with my neighbor before Iโve ever met himโ level of awkward aardvark. But in my defense, this mystery man has a golden voice that gives me chills even in the hottest of showers. My dreams center around meeting him someday, but Iโm way too shy to knock on his door and introduce myself. Besides, heโd never be interested in somebody like me who lacks a filter and any social graces, right?
When I go to an open mic night, I hear an all too familiar voice. I look up and see a beautiful man that I am quickly realizing is my favorite duet partner, AKA my new neighbor. Holy frickenfrack, heโs a โmake me forget the entirety of the English languageโ type of gorgeous. And for some inexplicable reason, he seems interested in me, despite the fact Iโm embarrassingly lacking in experience with romance, dating, and late-night escapades. Adding that laundry list of cluelessness together means I donโt know the first thing about how to be someoneโs boyfriend. Thankfully, Levi is an excellent teacher. So much so that he also introduces me to a whole new world of lace, love, and learning how to embrace my uniqueness.
Thank you, super-thin apartment walls. Can my life get any better than this?
Make Music Together is the second book in the Harmony of Hearts series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a neighbors to lovers, insta love, musician, first time, opposites attract, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, youโll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
*****
Review:
Like Play by Heart, Make Music Together is best enjoyed by those who are good with insta-love (and a lot and a lot of hot sex). Levi and Noctis have a connection through their mutual love of music but they haven’t met each other yet. Once they do, though, things quickly heat up.
In between the lots (and lots) of sex is a sweet story of finding your confidence and learning to see your value. Noctis is quirky, nerdy, and introverted. Unfortunately he’s not really found the support he’s needed to fully embrace himself. But luck is on his side when he gets a new neighbor. Levi is all kinds of supportive, understanding, and empowering. Exactly what Noctis needs to get out of his head and to build himself up.
There’s a whole lot of heat in Zoelle’s stories but she also brings readers fun and feels while leaving the angst at the door. If you are looking for an easy read to spice up your night, the Sunnyside universe may have just what you are looking for.
Nearly two years after her divorce, Felicity Hawthorne is ready to date again. At least, she thinks she would be, if the idea of dating wasnโt so freaking terrifying. But then she wins a date with sexy, swoony firefighter Noah Prescott at a charity bachelor auction, and everything changes.
FDNY captain Noah isnโt looking for a relationship. Since losing his father as a teenager, heโs spent the past twenty years shouldering heavy responsibilities, and he knows he doesnโt have the time or energy to be anyoneโs boyfriend. But one date with sweet, charming Felicity has him wanting things he shouldnโt want.
Which is why Noah suggests Felicity practice her budding dating skills with him. He wants more of her, and practice dates are as close as he can come to having her in his life without hurting her. But then dating practice turns into practice of another kindโthe kind that involves moans and sighs and orgasmsโand Noah knows heโs going to fall. Hard.
*****
Review:
Felicity’s struggles with her self-confidence are no match for Noah’s sexy (occasionally foul-mouthed) determination. Their attraction is instant but not one they expected to go anywhere. Until they are thrown together at a bachelor auction. It’s adorable the way they try to convince themselves that things aren’t going to go the way we all know they will ๐
Burning Up is sweet, sizzling, and low angst, with an adorable meet-cute and a conflict that’s telegraphed pretty much for the start. Which isn’t necessarily bad, it definitely helped make for an easy-read with a satisfying HEA.
Iasonโs known worldwide for his romantic lyrics, but he never thought heโd fall in love. Will his luck change when the stars align to bring Orion into his life?
Iason Leyland
My love songs may have made me famous, but they were beautifully written lies that hid the fact Iโve never loved anyone. I had almost given up hope of finding true love, but then I meet him. Orion is all my wishes on stars who can make my dreams come true. Heโs my perfect partner in every way except one: heโs straight. Why, universe? Why?
But the cosmic force that brought us together apparently knows what itโs doing based on the sweet way Orion blushes every time weโre together. Can I convince him that we could make beautiful music together that will be worthy of my most romantic ballad yet?
Orion Donati
Iโve been a fan of Iason and his beautiful voice and lyrics for years. I never expected him to know I even exist, let alone fall in love with me. But regardless of that impossibility, he looks at me like Iโm the sun, the moon, and all the stars in his universe. As a straight man, I probably shouldnโt be interested, much less tempted by his flirtations. But despite that, everything in me wants a chance to be his magical muse for the songs I love so much.
Meeting him makes me realize that Iโm not quite as straight as I thought. The most unbelievable thing of all is that someone as amazingly famous as him could ever want a shy nobody like me. But I donโt want to doubt his sincerity. I want to be brave enough to believe heโs interested in me for real.
Maybe I donโt have to settle for being a fan who adores him from afar. What if I dare to dream that I could be his boyfriend who loves him with all my heart instead?
Play By Heart is the first book in the Harmony of Hearts series and part of the Sunnyside universe. This novel features a bi awakening, insta love, rock star, shy/flirt, gay romance. If you love cute sweetness, sexy fun, and no angst stories that will make you laugh and swoon, youโll enjoy this satisfying HEA without cliffhangers. Each book can be read as a standalone or as part of the series in order.
*****
Review:
Readers are definitely going to want to be sure they are good with insta-love and lots (and lots, and lots) of sex. I’m not sure how a man would act if he thought he was straight but suddenly finds himself very attracted to another man, and I do appreciate that Orion is open-minded and goes with his heart (and his libido), but I would think that there might have been a bit more discussion about things before they jump straight to the good stuff. I don’t know, it seemed a little fast to me.
However, setting that aside, I did enjoy Iason and Orion together. There were plenty of sweet and supportive moments, and definitely a ton of heat. Once you get past how quickly things moved, it was an easy read. And I gotta say I absolutely adore Orion’s family, dinner with them was an absolute trip. They are so open and accepting of everyone – one could only hope to be that cool for their own kids and their friends.
(Written by a straight woman who just enjoys romances of all kinds, so my opinions may be … different.)
When your best friend growing up is a girl, that’s the song your classmates taunt you with over and over again. But it was never like that… until now.
It’s always been Clara and me. She’s the only one who truly knows me. After I was drafted into the NFL and ended up the starting quarterback for the San Francisco Kingsmen, I begged her to come with me. But she had her own life and responsibilities back in our small Alaskan town, so I didn’t fault her for staying.
We remained the best of friends despite the distance. I’d hang with her in Alaska during the off season, and she’d visit me in California while I was playing. Then, one night the lines blurred for the briefest of moments and set in motion a series of events that changed everything.
I’m not proud of the decisions I made after that fateful night, and I plan on making amends, because I need Clara back in my life. But not as my best friendโas my everything.
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There was a time or two that I wanted to give Xavier a swift kick (and I imagine as a returning reader that may have been a long time coming). He’s struggling a lot when it comes to love and his relationship with Clara suffered because of it. After too many months of being THAT guy (that oh-so-smackable guy), he’s done not having her in his life. And pretty quickly realizes that he wants more from her, he just has to convince her that she can trust him again.
Clara isn’t going to let him off the hook too easily. He hurt her, horribly, and his actions since haven’t shown him to be worthy of her trust. Or her heart. But with time, she starts to see that maybe she could give him another chance…
I have to say that being new to this series probably did me bad a little. There’s a lot of history to these two that, based on other reviews, played out in earlier books. The romance itself was easy to follow, I got ALL the warm & squishies, and I found it really difficult to put down – I’m guessing, tho, that there is some depth that I missed out on. But as a first book, it was very enjoyable, with delightful characters & an awesome HEA, so I will gladly come back for more.
*****
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!
For Bernadette Ross, there are two things she knows for sure, she loves being a kick-ass gamer girl and sheโs been in love with her teammate’s older brother for years. Wade Roberts was forced to put her in the friend zone, but when his feelings canโt be ignored any longer, the only option is to keep their relationship a secret. Fans of nerdy romance, Carrie Aarons, and Kaylee Ryan will adore WIN MY HEART by Lauren Helms, a secret relationship, gamer girl romance.
โLauren Helms delivers a sweet and steamy romance that packs an emotional punch.” – Mary @ USA Today HEA on ONE MORE ROUND, Gamer Boy 2
Win My Heart
by Lauren Helms
Blurb:
Bernie
When it comes to gaming,
Iโm a pro.
When it comes to my love life?
Thatโs a different story.
Iโve been crushing on my best friendโs older brother forever.
In return, heโs kept me in the friend zone for way too long.
Then things change between us.
And I get to see a whole new,
And incredibly sexy side to him.
But, he wants to keep things between us a secret.
Wade
I made a promise to my brother.
One I refused to break.
Until now.
Iโve ignored my feelings for the girl for way too long.
And the more time we spend together,
The harder I find myself falling.
Thereโs just one problem,
I canโt let anyone know that Iโve made her mine.
Can I win her heart before its game-over for us both?
I rush to the stairs at the end of the hall. It will be quicker than waiting for the elevator, and since Iโm only going up one floor, it makes sense. After taking the steps by twos, Iโm standing in front of the guysโ apartment in no time.
Brushing a stray hair off my face as I unlock the door, I realize I never changed out of my workout attire. My capri leggings, which I wear while lounging around at home more than working out, are black with a camo pink design up the sides. Then Iโm wearing a crop top tank in the same matching pink.
Iโm glad the guys arenโt here, because I donโt dress like this around them. Ever. Iโm normally in a pair of skinny jeans and a fitted tee or hoodie. On occasion, I know how to dress up. Iโm assuming if the guys saw my midriff, it would be akin to seeing their sister show too much skin.
I take a few steps into the apartment, and itโs dead quiet, as expected. I look around for the speaker and notice the place is cleaner than it was yesterday. Since Dex moved out last month, itโs become blatantly obvious who kept the place cleanโor at least held the guys accountable for cleaning up after themselves.
I chuckle to myself at how much fun Gia and Ruby will have when they have to house-train their men eventually.
I remember that we had the speaker back in Linkโs room, testing it with his stream set up. So I head down the hall.
I hear a noise and look over my shoulder just as I run into something hard and wet.
I squeak as I whip my face around, and I jump when strong hands grab both of my arms.
โShit,โ a deep voice mutters.
I stifle a scream right as I process whatโI mean whoโI ran into.
Wade Roberts.
The Wade Roberts.
Dexโs older brother.
My teammateโs big brother and the guy Iโve shamefully had a secret crush on for years.
Yeah, that Wade Roberts.
He grips my biceps tightly as if he fears Iโm going to fall over. And once my vision focuses on him and my eyes drift down his body, and I realize that heโs naked, I think I might just pass out.
Well, hello, abs.
โBernadette. You good?โ His voice is deep, and thereโs a trace of humor there.
The way he says my name makes my knees weak. Not many people call me by my full name, but Wade always has.
I nod, still taking him in. Okay, so heโs not naked completely. Heโs got a towel wrapped low around his waist, giving me a nearly full view of the perfect โvโ and the hint of whatever heโs hiding underneath. I force my gaze back up to his chest, then to his face. Shit, heโs got a nice face.
Christ on a cracker.
โIโm wet now,โ I mutter.
His eyes go wide.
I try again. โShit. No, I mean, why am I wet now that youโre here?โ
He barks out a laugh, and I nearly die.
โNo, frack. Wait, why are you wet? Because now I am. Is this sweat or water?โ I peel my eyes away from the half-naked man Iโve dreamed about for the past few years and take a step back. He doesnโt let his hand drop right away, but then his gaze blazes down my body.
I instinctively cover my stomach with my hand, then drop it because it was an awkward move on my part. I just end up bringing more attention to myself as he drinks me in. When I clear my throat, his eyes find mine.
He seems to shake himself out of something and puts yet another step between us.
โUh, yeah. Sorry. I just got out of the shower. I wasnโt expecting to run into anyone, so Iโm glad I even bothered with the towel.โ His throaty chuckle is uncomfortable as I think about what would have happened if he had forwent the towel.
I giggle nervously. โOh, yeah, same,โ I reply. โI mean, wasnโt expecting to run into anyone.โ
โRight.โ He smiles.Wow, this is uncomfortable. Anyone looking in would think we were two half-naked strangers running into each other. But we arenโt. Iโve known Wade for almost five years. While he doesnโt hang out a lot with the gang, heโs around. He supports our team and Iโve eaten many meals with him. Some days, I would even consider us friends. We get along well. Iโve just always had a crush on him, and heโs always looked at me the same way the guys doโas a sister. Which is fine. Totally fine. Itโs probably for the best.
Copyright 2022 @Lauren Helms
*****
Review:
Bernie is adorable, a little awkward but also spunky and fun. She’s had a crush on Wade for years but never thought he would feel the same. With him moving into the same apartment building, though, things change. And bring with it complications.
Wade felt something for Bernie since their first meeting but his brother asked him not to ruin their team dynamic by pursuing her. Years later, and living just down the hall, he finds himself reevaluating that promise. He just has to figure out how to tell his brother …
The lying and hiding of their relationship isn’t something I usually go for (and there were a few times I wanted to smack Wade), but I think that Helms actually handles things pretty well. Their relationship felt organic and I could definitely understand how they found themselves in such a situation so I didn’t mind it so much. Overall she does a good job of balancing heat with humor, adding in a ton of sweetness and drama, and just a little bit of suspense to keep things hopping. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for what else Helms brings readers.
(This is the first in this series that I’ve read but I had no issues keeping up.)
*****
Author Info:
Lauren Helms is a romance author her nerdy and flirty contemporary words. Lauren has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best–video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and write her first novel, Level Me Up. Several published novels later, Lauren created PR company, Indie Pen PR, to help other authors promote their books.
Lauren lives in Indianapolis, Indiana sharing her love of books and video games with her own Gamer Boy husband and three young kid nerds who will hopefully grow up to share the love of things that united Lauren and her husband on their own happily ever after.
Veteran player Gage Heyward retired from the league following a successful career. Now the Titans need him, but does he have what it takes to get back on the ice and pull this team together?
After achieving the goals I set for myself, I walked away from my professional hockey career. It was a tough decision, but the right one at the time. When the Titans organization approached me about joining the team they were rebuilding following a devastating plane crash, I felt a passion for the game and a competitive spirit I hadnโt felt in years. The opportunity to make a huge difference to a lot of people spoke to me, and I accepted their offer and headed to Pittsburgh without a second thought.
Jenna Holland is also new to town, having moved from Phoenix to Pittsburgh to take a job with the Titans. Her past has left her with scarsโboth physical and emotionalโand sheโs slow to trust others. But the more I learn about Jenna, the more I want to know. The more Iย needย to know. Because the beautiful blonde with honey gold eyes and a wall around her heart has me enamored.
My game on the ice is the best itโs ever been, but itโs my game off the ice Iโm focused on these days. Because while Jenna may not be willing to take a chance, I know the potential is there for something big. Somethingย life changing.ย Now I just need to convince her to take the shot.ย
*****
Review:
If you are looking for the perfect book boyfriend, you shouldn’t look any further than Gage. He’s kind, caring, supportive (to Jenna & the team), and settled. There’s not a lot of drama with him, or in the story, and he’s there for those that need him.
Jenna is struggling a little with her confidence after a fire left her with scars. Moving to Pittsburgh is scary but meeting Gage on her first day is definitely a bright spot. She may not trust in him wanting her in a romantic way but she can definitely see that he’s a stand-up guy. And it doesn’t take long for him to convince her of his sincerity, and her own attractiveness.
Gage is an easy read full of feels, taking us through Gage & Jenna’s relationship and her progress in recognizing herself as the person she is under her scars. There’s some team drama that is setting up future stories, but minimal troubles for our hero & heroine – just a sweet relationship that naturally unfolds between two likable characters.
Jase Brooks had been a 26-year-old Marine, stationed in Afghanistan when his parents were killed in a head-on collision. His anguish was compounded when, at the reading of the will, he learned they’d made him sole guardian of his 11-year-old brother. Jase gladly walked away from a promising military career to step into their shoes, a tough job made tougher by the boy’s risky behavior: Petty theft to fund the addictions that led to the birth of his son, Luke… who also became Jase’s responsibility.
Through it all, best friend Samantha (Sam) Finnigan set aside her own heartaches to stand beside him–even when he made the dangerous decision to become a professional recovery agent. It isn’t until one of the criminals he’d rounded-up escapes prison–and kidnaps Sam and Luke as part of a twisted scheme to even the score–that Jase realizes Sam is more, so much more than a friend.
Now, he faces the greatest challenge of his life: Staying alive long enough to save them, so that he can finally admit just how much she has always meant to him…
Loree Lough, a USA Today bestselling author, has published over 140 novels. This is the second novel in The Shadow Series.
Elbows on knees, he held his head in his hands. What awful thing would life throw at him next!
By now, ten month old Lukeโs cries bordered on screams.
โJesse,โ he growled, โare ya deaf? Luke is bawlinโ his lungs out!โ
Most days, that was enough to get his brother up, stumbling and grumbling and chanting, โShh, Lukey, shh,โ on his way to the crib.
Not this morning.
Jase crossed the hall, opened the door to the room where Jesse had slept for nearly ten years. Luke greeted him with a big, four-toothed smile and said, โDuke up, Case?โ
His nephew hadnโt yet mastered his Lโs and Jโs, and Jase had grown fond of the boyโs nickname for him, so fond that he wasnโt looking forward to the day when Luke could finally say โLukeโ and โJase.โ
โDah-dee sโeep?โ He pointed at his fatherโs bed.
Jesse had always been a restless sleeper, moreso since Connie left him to raise their boy, alone. The neatly-made bed proved he hadnโt slept here last night.
He thumb-dried fat tears from the babyโs cheeks. โWhere is that daddy of yours?โ he wondered aloud, and lifted him from the crib.
Damp blue eyes met his, held the gaze for a moment. On the heels of a shaky sigh, Luke snuggled against Jaseโs chest and whimpered, โDah-dee.โ
โSomeday heโll realize what a gift you are, liโl man.โ He hoped it was true, for both their sakes โฆ before itโs too late.
According to the Ford Thunderbird wall clock, it was nearly six in the morning. The kid was probably wet. And hungry. Jase went back to the crib, released the side rail, and gently deposited him on the matching T-bird sheets. โLetโs get you changed, and then Uncle Jase will fix you some oatmeal, okay?โ
The baby grabbed his favorite toyโthe stuffed monkey Jase purchased in the hospital gift shop the night Luke was bornโand began gnawing on the long, once-fuzzy tail. โGot another tooth cominโ in, huh, kiddo?โ
Any worries that Connieโs drug use might have caused birth defects disappeared that first night, looking into those alert, innocent eyes. Heโd vowed, right then and there, to do everything in his power to make sure the kid stayed innocent. He hadnโt done a very good job, protecting Jesse from the worldโs evils, but maybe with Luke, heโd get a second chance to do things right.
It hadnโt been easy, straddling the line between big brother and disciplinarian, partly because he had no idea what he was doing, and partly because Jesse fought him every step of the way. But for a while there, while working together to fix their dadโs classic Thunderbird, their brotherly bond strengthened enough to distract Jesse from bad company, drugs, and booze. Heโd been clean a year when the car was finally roadworthy, and heโd driven it to daily AA meetings. Ironic, Jase thought, that the following year, Jesse met Connie at one of those meetings. Her influence had been stronger than AAโs. Stronger than Jaseโs. When she announced her pregnancy, Jase had hoped that fatherhood would end Jesseโs slow, downward spiral, but the empty bed across the room said otherwise.
Downstairs, he strapped Luke into his high chair. โThat oughta keep you busy,โ he said, sprinkling a handful of Cheerios across the tray, โwhile I heat up your oatmeal.โ And when I put you down for a nap, Iโm gonna hunt up that father of yours โฆ
*****
Review:
Jase has taken a lot on his shoulders throughout his life – serving his country, raising his brother, and now helping to care for his nephew. He can carry it all but it definitely helps to have help. Sam has had feelings for Jase forever, so helping him when he needs it isn’t a hardship. She just wished that sometimes he could see her as more than friends. Trouble at home, followed by danger from Jase’s job, has him realizing how much Sam really means to him … if it isn’t too late.
I enjoyed the characters and the plot definitely kept my interest. The story isn’t very long so it moved pretty quickly and unfortunately I felt like some stuff was left out or glossed over. It didn’t stop me from enjoying the book but it did keep it from being as smooth as maybe it could have been. Overall, though, a fast, satisfying, and occasionally exciting read.
******
Author Info:
With more than 14M copies of her books in circulation, USA Today bestselling/award-winning author Loree Lough has 125 books in print (contracts for 6 more), 7 book-to-movie options, 68 short stories and 2,500+ published articles. She and her real-life hero split their time between a home in Baltimore’s suburbs and a cabin in the Alleghenies. She loves interacting with readers and answers every letter personally.
New York Timesย bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a powerful, moving story about a young woman on a quest to find the truth about her father who learns theย meaning of true love along the way.
Alone in the world, Tae Holmes and her mother April pretty much raised each other, but as Tae starts asking questions about the father sheโs never met, April, for the first time in her life, goes silent. To make matters worse, Tae is dangerously close to broke and just manages to avoid financial meltdown when she lands a shiny new contract with an adventure company for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.
Her first big fundraiser event falls flat, but what starts out as a terrible, horrible, no-good night turns into something else entirely when Tae finds herself face-to-face with Riggs Copeland. She hasnโt seen the former Marine since their brief fling in high school, and while still intensely drawn to him, she likes her past burned and buried, thank you very much. Hence their friendship pact.
But when April oddly refuses to help Tae track down her father, itโs Riggs who unexpectedly comes to her aid. On a hunt to unlock the past, the two of them find themselves on a wild ride and learn a shocking truth, while also reluctantly bonding in a way neither had seen coming. Now Tae must decide whether sheโs going to choose love โฆ or walk away from her own happiness.
*****
Review:
I will say that the blurb doesn’t really do the book justice so I expected a different kind of story. (I think others did too based on some of the reviews.) It’s a slow build, as Tae works to decide what to do with the questions of her past as well as her growing feelings for Riggs. Riggs also struggles with his emotions, his relationships with Tae & his brother, and what he should do with his life now.
As always, Shalvis is wonderful at delivering quirky characters, heartfelt journeys, and satisfying HEAs. Tea and Riggs (and April as well) have a lot to work through – it’s messy, full of feels, with plenty of moments of heat and humor. The Friendship Pact is a feel-good read perfect for those warm, lazy days of summer.
Heโs a covert operator. A killer built by the U.S. Army. Heโs tasked with taking out his dream girlโand not on a date.
Targeting Nicole should be simple, since she hates his guts. Sebastian The Dentistโyes, a real freakinโ dentist, donโt make it scaryโhas wanted Nic since they first locked horns. Heโs not sure why theyโre enemies, but he knows thereโs more to the sweet daycare owner than crayons and cardigans. But discovering her secrets lands them both in danger theyโll dodge only by working together.
Between awkward wedding dates and puppies with no personal space, Sebastian and Nic get closer. Theyโre also close to discovering if Nicโs dead associate may not be so dead.
If Sebastian can stop her from hating him long enough to eliminate the threat, they might just fall in love. But only Nic can stop him from hating himself.
Killer Smiles completes Fenske’s Assassins in Love series with a flourish. I really enjoyed Sebastian & Nic’s dance on their way to a HEA – funny, sexy, and dangerous.
Sebastian has always been drawn to Nic’s sass & strength, working together finds him sharing secrets that he’d prefer stay hidden. Nic definitely has her reasons for not trusting men, especially smooth talking ones but time spent with Sebastian, seeing the man under the smile, has her evaluating what she knows to be true. It can definitely change things … if only they can stay alive.
While I really enjoyed the way Fenske wraps everything up, I really wish that Seb had gotten a little more chance to resolve some of his issues. The man has a lot of guilt from his past and there is a lot there that needs to be addressed. I think that if anyone can help him, it’s going to be Nic, but it got just a little bit rushed there at the end. Overall though, she does a wonderful job combining humor and intrigue, with a satisfying mixture of heat and danger. While I’m sad to see these guys go, I’m looking forward to what Fenske has in mind for her readers next.
On a scale of one to ten, how bad is it that I want to see my fake boyfriend naked?
Marnie
Whatโs worse than being left at the altar? Becoming a meme because one of your nearest and dearest took a video of you runningโand fallingโdown the aisle and made it internet famous.
Yup, Iโm that Marnie Jones. My sister is for-real famous, which only makes people more interested in my predicament. Is it any wonder Iโm feeling down?
My best friends will try anything to cheer me upโฆincluding setting me up with the Fairy Godmother Agency, a maybe-crazy husband and wife private investigator-slash-life coach team who promise to find the person who sold me out. Better yet, they lend me a fake boyfriend to make my ex jealous and appease my sister.
Griffin is gorgeous, attentive, and a very convincing actor. Heโs perfect for the job.
Too perfect.
Griffin
After a lifetime of practice, Iโm good at pretending. But the more time I spend with Marnie Jones, the less I have to feign my interest in her.
She may be down, but sheโs not out. Sheโs beautiful, funny, and just the right amount of weird. All she needs is someone to remind her of that.
If I werenโt such a screw up, Iโd have half a mind to do it myself.
โAw, you two are staring into each otherโs eyes like youโre teenagers,โ Sinclair says, slicing her way into the moment. I shift my attention to my sisterโs face on the iPad. Her words are sweet, but sheโs obviously not appeased. To be fair, sheโs spoken to me nearly every day for the last month, and Iโve been feeling down for a while. Now, Iโm suddenly in a relationship with a man who looks like this, wearing a nighty that could have been stolen from the set of her Netflix show. She probably has whiplash.
Then again, maybe she thinks I could never find a man like this without bribing him. It stings, even more so because sheโs right.
โWhat can I say? Mitchell makes me feel like Iโm a teenager again,โ I tell her, my tone tight.
โThe same age you were when you pretended you had a boyfriend?โ She grins at
โMitchell,โ that thousand-dollar grin thatโs on dozens of posters. โSee? I have my reasons for suspicion.โ
Old hurt wells up inside of me. My sister was a beautiful TV star, and I was an awkward teenager who couldnโt attract a second glance from a guy unless he was teasing me. So, yes, when she asked if I had a date to prom, I claimed I did. Rupert Wrightman.
Crap. Iโm really bad at coming up with off-the-cuff names. Actually, considering I told her this handsome stranger next to me is called โMitchell Mountainbottom,โ Iโve probably gotten worse at it.
I look down, but suddenly strong fingers are touching my jaw, tipping my face up. Then Iโm looking into Mitchellโs eyes, which look hot, like caramel starting to boil in a pan, and he shocks me by leaning in for a soft kiss. It would have lasted for only a few second, just long enough for me to register his soft but firm lips, the brush of his short beard, and his spicy scent, but my mouth parts in surprise, and then I find myself pressing into him, electricity arcing between us and gluing us together. Heโs the one who pulls back, a slight smile on his face as he lifts his hand to my jaw and softly traces it.
โSeems to me there mustโve been plenty of guys half in love with her,โ he says, still looking at me, and my pulse is galloping in my chest, so alarmingly fast I think I might actually die. โIf she did pretend to have a boyfriend, it was probably because she wanted to let them down easy.โ He lifts a hand to my jaw again, tracing it. โSheโs thoughtful like that.โ
Iโm at a loss for words. Actually, I canโt do anything but gape at him. Should I be pissed at him? Probably. Maybe I would be if I could form a single coherent thought.
Itโs for the best that Sinclair takes over. โYou guys are too cute.โ Thereโs a bit of an edge to her voice. Sheโs still suspicious, although Iโll bet sheโs not altogether sure why sheโs suspicious.
โYes, we are,โ Mitchell says with a smirk. Heโs still looking at me, though.
Iโm the one who finally breaks the stare. Glancing back at my sister, I clear my throat. โWe have to go. Talk to you later?โ
โWhere do you have to go?โ she asks. โYou havenโt even finished your breakfast.โ
Mitchell gives her a suggestive grin. โIsnโt it obvious? It was nice meeting you, Scarlett.โ
Marnie may have taken a bit of a hit when her fiance walked out on their wedding, but she’s not out. She just needs someone to show her the strong, confident person hiding underneath her baggy Star Wars shirt. Griffin wants to be that person, he just needs some help to fight his own demons and realize that he’s worthy of love.
I’ve only read one other book by Casella and I have to say I’m missing out. Marnie and Griffin’s story was fun, sexy, and easy to read. I loved all the quirky characters and the slightly off the wall, entertaining storyline. Lying as a central part of the story is tricky for me but it works here. And while with a fake boyfriend story you could expect a lot of “is it real” drama, Casella does a good job of avoiding that trap. Instead we get a low angst, light-hearted, slow burn romance with a good dash of humor and a bit of heat. I’m pretty sure I need to add this author to my must read list!
*****
Author Info:
ANGELA CASELLA loves writing romcoms, particularly with the lovely Denise Grover Swank. They write together as Angela Denise. Angela also writes the Fairy Godmother Agency series. She lives in Asheville, NC with her husband, daughter, and two geriatric dogs. Her hobbies include herding her daughter toward less dangerous activities, stress baking, and marathon watching TV shows.
Romantic Reads and Such 