Review – Take a Chance

12 Saturday Jul 2025

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Take a Chance

Blue Creek Ranch series

by Kris T. Bethke & Tia Fielding

Blurb:

To say Mal Trevino is down on his luck might be an understatement. Out of work and the sole parent of his young son, he’ll do whatever it takes to get back on his feet again. But his luck seems to finally be turning when he applies for, and lands, a job at Blue Creek Ranch. The Harringtons seem too good to be true but he’s not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He takes all that they offer and works hard, while also trying to avoid getting too attached. Mal knows all too well that the good things in life can be taken in a blink.

Crew Harrington’s mission in life is to keep his family ranch thriving. Hiring Mal quickly proves to be a good decision. Mal is competent, capable, and shows a lot of talent. The only downside? That’s Crew’s kryptonite. Getting involved with an employee is a recipe for disaster. But there’s no denying the chemistry between the two men. All they have to do is figure out how to make it work. 

It starts out as a bit of a rough ride. Crew’s missteps reinforce Mal’s walls. But as the days pass and the more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to stay away from each other. As Crew and Mal learn to communicate, and let each other in, love isn’t far behind. All Crew wants is for Mal to take a chance; on him, on their future, and on happily ever after. 

Buy Link:

https://getbook.at/BlueCreekRanch1

*****

Review:

Take a Chance is all about the slow burn & slow angst as there isn’t a ton of drama or issues with others. Just a bit of miscommunication and some troubles caused by Mal’s history. It’s handled well by Crew as he gets to know Mal and his absolutely adorable son. He is so supportive and understanding, but that makes sense based on his amazing family. They all opened their doors, arms, and hearts to Mal and Payton.

Mal has some issues with trust and letting people in. As much as he wants to believe the Harrington’s are truly as caring as they seem, he struggles. People haven’t been as accepting of him and it’s left some scars. But it doesn’t take long for them to wear him down, tho it does take a little longer for him to be as sure of Crew.

Found family is one of my fav tropes and this delivers in spades. I’m looking forward to getting know the rest of the siblings as we get more books in this series. And hopefully get more of Mal and super cute Payton!

Spotlight – I Could Be Yours

10 Thursday Jul 2025

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I Could Be Yours

by Helena Hunting

Blurb:

The best man ghosted me six years ago after kissing me, and now I have to plan every wedding event under the sun with him. 

Nate Stiles is the definition of serious. Furrowed brow? Check. Rain cloud personality? Double check.

I shouldn’t be thinking about the fact that our kiss was the best one of my life right now. I should be planning the bachelorette party of the millennium.

I shouldn’t be wondering when Nate became such a good dancer after we got roped into salsa lessons with the happy couple. I should be mentally ticking off boxes on my bridal checklists.

I shouldn’t be wondering what it would be like if I didn’t hate Nate Stiles. I should be holding strong against a man who doesn’t believe in love.

My name is Essie Lovelock. I am a reformed love obsessed fairytale fanatic and I’m determined to be the best maid of honor my best friend could ever have.

And I am absolutely not going to fall for the best man.

*Nate and Essie’s standalone summer holiday romance. This title can be read as a complete standalone.

Buy Link: 

https://helenahunting.com/books/icby

Available in KU 

*****

Author Info:

NYT and USA Today bestselling author, Helena Hunting lives outside of Toronto with her amazing family and her adorable, emotional cat, who thinks the best place to sleep is her keyboard. Helena writes everything from emotional contemporary romance to romantic comedies that will have you laughing until you cry.

Connect with Helena Hunting:

https://linktr.ee/helenahunting

Review – Crazy Love

10 Thursday Jul 2025

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A small town, marriage of convenience, single dad, sports romance from USA Today Bestselling Author Willow Aster

Crazy Love

The Single Dad Playbook Series

by Willow Aster

Blurb:

Penn Hudson. Sexy. Intense. Gorgeous.
The star running back of the Colorado Mustangs.
Well-known playboy and consummate bachelor.
We met in the Bahamas.
I knew exactly who he was.
He had no idea who I was.
Yet for a few blissful hours, it didn’t matter.
We had an unbelievable connection…
Something special that held so much promise.
Then I unexpectedly had to leave and never had a chance to say goodbye.

Fast-forward to today, when I am about to see Penn again,
and he’s going to find out exactly who he was kissing in the Bahamas.
I’m excited about my new job and returning to my hometown of Silver Hills.
But seeing him every day won’t be easy,
especially with the lingering memory of his touch and the attraction that still burns between us.
When he faces an obstacle in adopting a young boy he’s mentored for years,
I offer him a solution I never thought I’d make:
A fake marriage.
He needs to show stability and a squeaky-clean public image,
and I figure, how hard could it be to play house?
But as time goes by, nothing feels fake anymore.

I’d always planned on getting married for love,
but sometimes we make once-in-a-lifetime sacrifices.
I just hope I won’t be devastated in the process.

Crazy Love is book five in the standalone The Single Dad Playbook series.

Goodreads: https://geni.us/CrazyLoveGR 

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://geni.us/Crazylove

*****

Review:

Honestly, I don’t think I even read the blurb before signing up for this one so I was a smidge disappointed that we went the obvious fake marriage route. The trope can be fantastic but it can also be bad, depending on how it’s written, but I shouldn’t haven’t doubted Aster because she handles it like a dream. And really the story is about so much more.

It’s full of humor and feels, with adorable kids and a just as adorable dad Penn, and I couldn’t have been happier with how everything goes. Crazy Love is low angst and so satisfying as we get to be there while Penn figures out how to be a dad and a husband, from the first meet cute with Addy to the sweet ending for this adorable family.

I am so sad to see this series end. I absolutely loved these guys. The way that they support each other, stepping up when they needed to, giving themselves whole body to their kids and their women. And Penn is no different. He comes into himself so much here and I loved every minute of it.

Aster was a new to me author when I picked up my first Single Dad Playbook story but she quickly found a place on my must read author list.

Spotlight – The Wildest One

10 Thursday Jul 2025

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A scorching hot, hockey, forbidden, billionaire romance from USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann …

The Wildest One

The Weston Group #2

by Marni Mann

Blurb:

I’m not the calm before the storm. I am the storm. And only she can tame my wild ways.

Hockey is my religion.

My body is my temple.

My only goal in life is to win another Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Whales, so women are just a sexy distraction.

Until her.

The fiery redhead I see across the bar while I’m at an away game.

With one look, I know I have to meet her.

With one touch, I need her beneath me.

With one bat of her long lashes, I want those eyes gazing up at me as she kneels before me.

And with booze flowing through my veins, I do something I’ve never done. I offer her a proposition—to spend a long weekend with me.

What is only supposed to be three nights of sizzling passion turns into much more, and when I leave for my next away game, I find myself wanting her in ways I’ve never felt.

She’s a young heart with an old soul.

My dream woman in every way.

The only thing I’ve ever encountered that my family name, talent and money can’t attain.

But there’s too much distance between us, and I realize that maybe we just aren’t meant to be.

Until a chance meeting skates us right back together and our time is suddenly now.

Except all of that changes when I learn the truth …

She’s forbidden, untouchable, and off-limits.

With my heart on the line, can I score the most crucial goal of my life, or will she realize that being with the wildest one isn’t worth the sacrifices she’ll have to make?

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4ib3r2d

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://geni.us/TheWildestOne

Audio: https://geni.us/TheWildestOneAudio
Narrated by: Sean Masters & Savannah Peachwood


Spotlight – Shattered Promise

10 Thursday Jul 2025

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Shattered Promise

Avalon Falls series

by Penelope Black

Blurb:

Mason Porter: Avalon Falls’ hottest single dad, my brother’s best friend, and the only man who’s ever broken my heart.

Oh, and now he’s my neighbor.

I came back to town without telling anyone—just me, a half-forgotten cabin I inherited, and the quiet hope that a few stolen weeks might be enough to outrun the pressure closing in from all sides.

I didn’t expect to run into Mason and his son by the creek. I didn’t expect him to keep my secret. And I definitely didn’t expect the way it would feel to slip into his life like I’d always belonged there.

Now I’m living next door, falling into a rhythm that feels dangerously close to peace. I watch his son while he works, cook dinner more nights than not, and for the first time in years, I don’t feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.

For a little while, it works.

Until it doesn’t.

Because this town has secrets, and I’m not the only one running from something.

Someone is watching me.

And the danger I thought I left behind might be closer than I ever imagined.

He was never mine to begin with.

But loving him now might cost me everything.

tropes:
brother’s best friend
small town
single dad
forced proximity
who hurt you?
one MF bed

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3XIFNT4

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4i67Va5

Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/XLNc4x

Review – Guarded From Havoc

08 Tuesday Jul 2025

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Guarded From Havoc

Blade and Arrow Security Bravo Team #6

by Gia Cobie

Blurb:

I knew it was a risk venturing over to my new neighbor’s cabin during the storm.

After all, I barely knew him. All I’d learned from our chance meeting in the woods was that he was visiting the Adirondacks on a well-deserved vacation, he used to serve in the Army, and he was the most handsome man I’d ever seen.

The last part definitely made the whole knocking on a near-stranger’s door offering food and flashlights idea more appealing.

When he invited me inside, I nearly said no. But there was just something about Erik that told me I could trust him. That if I didn’t accept his offer, I’d end up regretting it.

Then four masked intruders stormed the cabin, with both of us in it. And nothing could have prepared me for what would come next.

I should have been able to defend myself from anything.

I used to be Special Forces, after all. Now I work for one of the top private security companies in the country. But when Tatum’s life was threatened, I had no choice but to concede. To accept whatever was waiting for me after.

Waking up in the middle of the woods with an unconscious Tatum nearby wasn’t a promising start.

Finding out we’ve been dumped into the middle of a sinister game is even worse. A deadly game it’s clear we’re not supposed to survive.

But there’s no way I’m letting anything else happen to Tatum. I’m getting her out of here, no matter what it takes. And once we escape, I’m going to see her again. Because I’m not losing the first woman I could see a future with.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/aivAvdj

Available in KU 

*****

Review:

I think the blurb is a little off. I went into it thinking it would be mostly about them trying to survive, while falling in love of course, and then bringing the bad guys to justice. And it does happen, but not in proportions I expected. It was about 25% getting kidnapped, surviving, & then rescued. The next 50% or so was the guys working together to figure out who did it, helping Tatum come to terms with the experience, and falling for each other. The last bit was wrapping up their romance and everything that has happened & where their future is going. I enjoyed it but I think that there was a little disappointment over the limited action after that first bit.

Buuuut if I had gone into it with the proper expectations I think it would have hit even better. Because I like these two. Erik is sweet and caring, obviously loved by the guys on his team and their spouses, very capable in the field and eventually as a boyfriend. Tatum is amazingly strong, doing all the things to work through what she’s experienced, as well as being there to support Erik when he needs it.

Overall, Guarded From Havoc is a really enjoyable read but slower paced with less of the danger element that I expected. I just think that readers need to approach it as a slower paced romance and not the romantic suspense it originally comes across as.

(Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.)

Review – The Great Maple Mistake

07 Monday Jul 2025

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The Great Maple Mistake

Love in Maplewood #8

by Beck Grey

Blurb:

A small-town photographer who’s given up on love meets a smoking hot firefighter with a smile to melt hearts. Try as they might, some flames are impossible to resist.

Alex

Maplewood is as wonderful and cliché as you’d imagine. Sure, the town gossips share everyone’s business, but neighbors look out for each other. Nowhere else would be as accepting of me as this queer-friendly small town I grew up in. The only problem? A lack of eligible bachelors. So when a gorgeous new guy moves to town, the Maplewood grapevine is in full swing, and this time, I’m paying attention. Though maybe not close enough, because Cody and I literally run into each other. I hit him with my body, he hits me with his boy-next-door smile, and poof, my heart’s gone. Too bad sexy, sweet guys like him aren’t really interested in guys like me. Once he gets to know me, he’ll change his mind.

Cody

You’d think that moving to a small town named Maplewood means I’m prepared for maple-flavored everything. You’d be wrong. And the stuff is everywhere, so how do I tell my new neighbors that the taste makes me gag? That problem is solved when a misunderstanding has them believing I’m allergic. Sure, it saves me from eating any more maple. It also feels like I’m lying. I try to explain, but there’s no stopping the Maplewood gossip mill. Especially when the adorable photographer I almost trample fans that flame. But I can’t even be mad about it. Alex has this sweetness to him that pulls me in like gravity. And little by little, he’s letting me get close. Eventually, I’ll convince him to trust me, to give us a real chance. When he does, will that mean I’ll owe ‘us’ to that annoying maple mistake?

The Great Maple Mistake is a low-angst, small-town contemporary LGBTQ romance about a local cutie looking for love, a sexy firefighter with a maple aversion, baking show obsessions, fluffy kittens, rumor mills, and a connection that’s more than skin deep.

With the highest percentage of LGBTQIA+ residents in Vermont, Maplewood is a town where everyone belongs. And with festivals year-round, there’s always something fun happening! This multi-author, low-angst queer series features ten standalone romances—each set against the backdrop of a different festival. Come for the celebrations, stay for the happily-ever-afters!

*****

Review:

I liked Cody and Alex, individually and together. I enjoyed being with Cody as he settled into a new town, meeting his neighbors, and falling for Alex. There’s all sorts of humor and hijinks around a misunderstanding over his aversion to maple syrup but it gives one more thing for him to bond with Alex over. And as a long time native of Maplewood, Alex knows all about his hometown’s idiosyncrasies.

Y’all, this one is just all sorts of sweet, without any angst. It’s just two people who meet, form a connection, and fall in love. It’s not going to be for everyone but it will delight those that are looking for an easy read.

Spotlight – Let It Be Me

02 Wednesday Jul 2025

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Let It Be Me

Shafer U, Book Two

by Kristen Vail

Blurb:

All I did was agree to be there for my best friend during a routine surgery. How could I have known his first words when he woke up would change our friendship forever? 

To everyone else on campus, Lorenzo Rossi is the star football player with the promising future. To me, he’s the other half of my heart. My source of strength since I was a kid. Oh yeah, and the only man I’ve ever loved.

But he doesn’t need to know that. 

Because Lorenzo isn’t just tall, dark and covered in hot tattoos, he’s perfection. Totally unattainable for a girl whose biggest accomplishment is landing a job cleaning aquariums. 

Until the day Lorenzo goes into surgery… and comes out saying the words I’ve spent a lifetime longing to hear.

Suddenly I have everything I’ve ever wanted and one long, steamy summer to enjoy it—warm days under the sun with Lorenzo, hot nights in his bed, and scorching games of truth or dare.

But as sultry kisses give way to heartfelt words, a secret slips out… and suddenly our more-than-friends experiment is a game of all-or-nothing. Either I fight for the one thing I’ve always wanted, or I lose my best friend—and with him, everything I love.

Buy Link:
https://a.co/d/g5F1H58
Available in KU 

Connect with Kristen Vail:
https://www.instagram.com/kristenvailbooks/

~

Review – Unstoppable Love

01 Tuesday Jul 2025

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Unstoppable Love

Kelly Family series

by Stacey Lynn

Narrated by: Amelie Griffin & Lance Greenfield

Blurb:

Ava Decker has hated me for just as many years as I’ve spent loving her.

I made a mistake pretending our night together never happened. For pretending I forgot. But we were young and I was getting ready to leave for college with big plans for the future.

I had no plans to return to our small town in Colorado anytime soon and Ava never wanted to leave. That alone was enough to keep me away from her while we both grew up.

And yet, I never forgot about her and what she means to me.

Now eight years later, imagine my surprise, when I come home and find Sleeping Beauty asleep on my couch, thinking I wouldn’t be back home from my off-season vacation for a few weeks.

As a professional football player, I know all about grabbing an opportunity and running with it. This is my chance to finally convince the girl of my dreams to stay and to tell her the truth about that fateful night years ago. 

But getting Ava Decker to not only forgive me but to give me another chance comes with a whole new set of plays I’m not used to.

I’ve got all the time in the world to convince her. I’m committed to showing to her that she is my endgame. I let her go once before and I’ll stop at nothing to prove to her that my love for her is real and an unstoppable force.

**Warning: Readers should be mindful that Unstoppable Love contains multiple descriptive scenes of attempted assault that may be sensitive and triggering to some.**

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3SMeoNa

Listen today!

Audible: https://bit.ly/3FKXZ8U 

Amazon: https://bit.ly/4l2zyTp 

*****

Review:

I don’t listen to a lot of audio books – I was put off of them in the 90s when I listened to a romance set in Minnesota and the narrator tried an accent (Swedish, Norwegian, something northern european) and it was so hard to listen to. Decades later and I can’t describe to you how bad it seemed to me. But things are different now and I’m trying again.

I enjoyed the narrators for this one. I appreciate the his and hers, dual perspective and I feel like these two are good at their job. They have great voices, good cadence, and read at a pleasant listening speed. If this had been my experience before …. 🙂

The story, on the other hand, I’m a little torn on. Early on I felt like both of them were pretty immature. I can’t imagine the pain that Ava experienced thanks to Cam and the fact that he keeps poking at that wound would be beyond rage inducing. I also felt like maybe she let it all go a little too soon. The man really, really screwed up and I don’t know how willing I would have been to forgive him.

Things were better in the last third to half. For being such a jerk for so long, Cam does know how to step up and be a good partner. The ending tho is another place where I’m not sure how I feel. Parts seem a little rushed, others a little predictable, and some made sense for who they are as people. I just don’t know … I guess I’m going to have to sit with this story for a bit *shrug*

(Also, please read the content warning. I feel like it is very important and for some it could be even more impactful hearing it than just reading it.)

Review – Fanboy in the Falls

27 Friday Jun 2025

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Fanboy in the Falls

Devon Falls #3

by J.E. Birk

CW: There is some queer phobia, gender phobia, and fat phobia depicted in the book.

Blurb:

My two celebrity crushes might both be into me. What could be wrong with that? As it turns out: everything.

The world has thrown me a lot of challenges over the years, but I’ve always tried to stay positive. Life’s too short to dwell on the negative. Unfortunately, my situation just took a very complex turn: I’m raising my little brother alone right now, but I’ve got to keep that a secret. If anyone finds out, I risk losing Lou.

My secret gets tough to keep when two international celebrities show up in our small town and start paying me all kinds of attention. I’ve got zero dating experience and plenty of reasons to stay away from them both, but keeping my distance isn’t going to be easy. First there’s Colin, the quiet and brooding former race car driver who seems uninterested in everyone and everything…except me. And then there’s Tom, the charming movie star, who flirts with me like it’s his job. Oh, and did I mention the two of them are best friends? Or that I think Tom might have some very deeply hidden feelings for Colin?

I’m definitely in over my head here. If I want to keep Lou safe, I know it’s best that I keep both men at arm’s length. So what do I do? I start renovating a hotel with them.

Oops. But I’m sure if I just stay positive, everything will work out fine. Right?

Right?

Fanboy in the Falls is an MMM famous people/commoner romance. It comes with a brooding race car driver, a hopelessly romantic movie star, and the sweet cinnamon roll who is not supposed to fall in love with either of them. It has a guaranteed HEA and no cheating. This is a Devon Falls book, so of course it also comes with a leaf festival and plenty of small town quirk. This is the third book in the Devon Falls series, but it can be read as a standalone.

https://getbook.at/DevonFalls3

*****

Review:

I liked these characters. Each one is struggling with something but they provide the support and care that others need without hesitation. And each has their own moments:

Tom has some experience that he can share with both Colin and Gabe as they start exploring their sexuality. But he also has some troubles that he’s holding close, ones that he really needs to work thru. Not to mention long carried feelings for his bestie.

Colin is growly but with such a big heart for those he cares about. He’s a little lost after the death of his brother and the end of his career. And facing an attraction that he never imagined.

Gabe is so positive but hiding so much fear around his situation with his brother. His innocence, exuberance, and sunshiny outlook helps to bring both Colin & Tom out of themselves, forcing them to look at what they really want and need.

While it’s easy for both Tom & Colin to begin something with Gabe, it’s a lot harder for them to come to terms with what that actually means with each other. There’s a lot of history between them and a lot of assumptions that need to be looked at again. Throw in Gabe needing to find a way to keep his little brother (who is adorable) in a safe situation and it means that, while there isn’t a lot of angst, there is a lot of emotions swirling around them all. A lot that they need to face and work through. Together.

I don’t usually read why choose romances. (Is it still called that in the MMM sphere?) I don’t know why because it is very popular and obviously can be VERY hot. As such, I can’t really compare this to anything else in the genre but I can say I think I’ll be opening up my TBR a little to see what else I can find like it 🙂