Review – All’s Fair in Love and Pizza

05 Friday Jun 2026

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All’s Fair in Love and Pizza

by Lane Hayes

Genre: Contemporary, Rom-Com, Small-Town, Sports

Tropes: Grumpy-sunshine, Enemies to lovers, Humor

Designer: Reese Dante

Blurb:

A bake-off between enemies…what could go wrong?

MATEO

Can you believe this? Haverton’s football hero is opening a bagel shop next to my pizzeria and he’s selling—wait for it—pizza bagels. The nerve! 

And Rob Vilmer isn’t above using his fame to attract clients. It’s annoying and yes, I’m feeling a little crusty about the situation. My temper has gotten me into a few binds, but a pizza-bagel war? This is a first. 

I’m gonna crush him. 

ROB

After years of playing in the pros, I’m beat. All I want is to open a bagel shop in the town that gave me a shot at the big time. I’d love some peace and quiet too, however, I won’t be getting that with Mateo Cavaretti next door. 

Geez, I can’t believe I had a crush on that guy in college. Sure, he’s still incredibly good-looking, but he’s a grouch. And while I like my business partner’s idea of settling our dispute with a classic bake-off, Mateo and I can’t be in the same room without fireworks exploding. 

Okay, some of those fireworks are extra sexy and that might be a problem. 

Or is all truly fair in love and pizza…and bagels?

All’s Fair in Love and Pizza is an MM grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance featuring former teammates, a culinary challenge, and a HEA worth fighting for. 

*A portion of All’s Fair in Love and Pizza was originally included in the Delicious Anthology. This new version has doubled in length to over 40k words and a whole lot of bake-off shenanigans! 

AVAILABLE NOW

*****

Excerpt:

“Whoa. Wait up.” I held my hand like a stop sign and stepped into his space. Bad move. I had to tilt my head to meet his eyes now, and that was weird. I was six one—not exactly a small dude, but that asshole had sprouted at least another two inches since college. I’d bet he was six foot six. And yes, he was an asshole. I hadn’t thought so until a minute ago, but now… “You can’t sell pizza bagels next to a pizza parlor.”

“I can’t?” 

“No, you can’t. It’s brand assimilation or something. It’s illegal.” 

“Illegal?” he scoffed. “I don’t think so, Mateo. Bagels are bagels, pizza is pizza. But I was only kid—”

“Yeah, but a pizza bagel is a piece of dough that’s dressed up to look like something it isn’t. It’s shady advertising, not to mention blatant customer poaching. Sell all the bagels you want, but don’t sell pizza bagels. That’s a great way to get off to a rotten start. You know what I’m saying?” 

Rob regarded me for a long moment. “Are you threatening me?”

“Threaten is a strong word. I’m suggesting you do the right thing.”

“Or what?” 

I snort-laughed in my most derisive, supremely irritating fashion. It was the kind of insincere and dismissive gesture that had pissed off opponents on the field years ago and still probably got under my cousins’ skin. Nothing to brag about, but hey…I’d learned how to play with the big kids early. Rule number one: Never show fear. Rule number two: Never back down or give someone else the upper hand. 

“I ’spose you’ll find out.” I turned on my heels, tray clenched to my chest as I sauntered next door.

Yeah, yeah. Look, maybe Rob wasn’t the enemy. Maybe it was a quirky act of fate that he’d happened to lease the property next to mine. The one I wanted.

Fortune had shined upon him and that was nice and all, but Boardwalk Pizza was an institution in this town. We were the experts, we were the ones with decades of experience, and we weren’t going anywhere. 

So Rob could shove his goddamn pizza bagel up his ass.

*****

Review:

I love Lane Hayes’s books. Her name on the cover makes it an automatic read for me but honestly I struggled a little at the beginning of this one. It’s set up as an enemies-to-lovers or rivals-to-lovers story but I just didn’t get why Mateo was so antagonistic to Rob from the beginning. I had faith tho and kept going and I’m glad I did. Once I got a little further, I loved the two of them together, and individually, and it made for lighthearted fun.

Teo is all sorts of prickly and sarcastic but he loves big and loud. And he’s surrounded by a family that loves just as big and loud and I love that for him. I need more from them because they are a hoot. While Rob may be a little quieter, he loves big too and he adores every bit of Teo’s grouchiness.

I do feel like there was an opportunity to go a little deeper into their issues – Rob’s anxiety and Teo’s reasons for putting up walls. It was originally a novella in an anthology so I’m wondering if maybe the additions just didn’t mesh quite as well as they could have.

Mixing a bit of fun with a dose of family love and some heat, Hayes gives us a nice, comfortable read. It’s not angsty, more a quiet slide into a HEA.

*****

Author Info:

Lane Hayes lives in sunny Southern California with her amazing husband, who thankfully doesn’t mind cooking, and their fabulous fox red Labrador, George, who’s pure mischief. Both provide oodles of inspiration for the low-angst, humorous books Lane loves to write.

She’s been telling stories about sexy, funny, sometimes geeky and quirky men who find love for a dozen years now and loving every minute. In her previous life, she sat at a desk and dealt with numbers, so yes…romance is much more satisfying!

Lane loves tea, travel, and chocolate…in any order. Add a book and she’s set!

My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg

My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3cICfaK

Website: www.lane-hayes.com

Twitter: twitter.com/LaneHayes3

FB: facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/lanehayes

BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes

Instagram: instagram.com/lanehayesauthor/

Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes

Bluesky: lanehayes.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lane.hayes6

*****

Review – My Forever Girl

02 Tuesday Jun 2026

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My Forever Girl

Blue Sky Bay #1

by Laura Pavlov

Blurb:

Gracie Reynolds and I have been best friends since we were kids.
She’s smart, kind, funny, beautiful—and one of the best parts of my life.
When Gracie walks into a room, people notice.
I always notice.

But when she moved across the world with a guy I despised, it felt like I’d lost a piece of myself.
I missed her in ways I still can’t explain.

Now she’s back— and she’s crashing at my place for a couple of months while she figures things out.
She’s single and ready for a fresh start.
I’ve always had her back, and that hasn’t changed.

What has changed?
The way that she looks at me.
The way I can’t stop looking at her.
So, when Gracie makes me a once in a lifetime proposition–obviously, I’m all in.
But this isn’t your average gray area–it’s a full-on, sweat-inducing, five chili pepper detour we never meant to take.

Gracie has big dreams though, and I’d never be the guy to hold her back.
Even if all I want…is to be the reason that she stays.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4crPkGg

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://bit.ly/4tAcvEF

Paperback: https://geni.us/Ybk1p

Order now and receive the stunning DELUXE FIRST PRINT RUN while supplies last―featuring gorgeous detailed sprayed edges, custom designed endpapers and an exclusive bonus scene, only available in print.

Audible: https://bit.ly/3R5dzl6

Amazon Audiobook: https://bit.ly/4uiop64
Narrated by: Connor Crais & Savannah Peachwood

*****

Review:

I think that this one had a few things going on from the start. Returning readers were waiting to see what Beefcake all grown up would be like and he’s just as emotionally confident as we could hope he would be. He’s got swagger but with the big heart to back it up. Love Cutler as an adult, his parents and uncles and godfathers really did a great job of helping him grow into a stand up human being.

There’s also a lot of pressure put on their story because of the long friendship between Gracie and Cutler. I mean, it’s been obvious to everyone around them that their connection had the potential to be so much more. There was no way their little arrangement wasn’t going to lead to a HEA for them. They just needed to get out of their own way to see it.

But it did lead to some issues caused by lack of communication. For two people who know each other SO well, there were times that they had no idea that they were on pretty much the same page. And I get how scared you might be to ruin a friendship with someone that means that much to you … it wasn’t going to be an easy change to make. It involves minimal drama or angst but a lot at stake for them both to go down that path.

This obviously sets up a new series of books with Cutler and Gracie’s friends but it didn’t feel like too much to be introduced to a new set of characters and a new town. Pavlov gives us just enough to be intrigued by each of them, and of the little family group they’ve made together, but not be overwhelming. Definitely looking forward to what comes next with each of them.

My Forever Girl has the slow burn feels and steam and connection that I’ve come to expect from Pavlov’s books. There’s all sorts of small town charm, found family closeness, and plenty of heat. Cutler has grown into a fantastic book boyfriend – supportive and caring and confident – and it was so enjoyable to see him and Gracie finally realize they were meant to be together.

Review – Wilde Flame

26 Tuesday May 2026

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Wilde Flame

Love is a Cowboy #3

by Kelly Elliott

Blurb:

From New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Kelly Elliott, comes a new small town romance series that brings her back to her roots.

LILIBETH

When I moved to River Falls, Colorado, falling for the town’s broody, tight-lipped cowboy was not part of the plan. Yet somehow, every run-in with Caden Wilde turns into a battle of sharp words and stolen glances. We argue like we’re at war, but my pulse never gets the memo.

He’s stubborn. Infuriating. Impossible.

And the most breathtaking man I’ve ever seen.

When a twist of fate forces us to spend a few days alone together, the line between enemies and something far more dangerous begins to blur. Beneath the scowls and sarcasm, I see pieces of the man he tries so hard to hide.

There’s just one problem. Caden doesn’t believe in relationships.

So, I agree to his rules. A few days. No promises. No expectations. We’ll walk away as friends when it’s over.

Simple.

Until my heart refuses to play by those rules.

CADEN

Two years ago, the woman I planned to marry shattered my future with a single word. Since then, I’ve kept my life simple, my ranch, my routine, and no room for anything that could wreck me again.

Then Lilibeth Asher blows into town like a Colorado storm.

She’s sunshine where I’m shadows. Hope where I’m hesitant. Too kind, too bright, too tempting for a man who swore he was done believing in forever. From the moment we met, she’s challenged me, pushing my buttons, breaking through my silence, and making me feel things I buried long ago.

When a snowstorm traps us together, I convince myself I can handle it. A temporary truce. A few nights in my bed. No strings attached.

I’ve survived heartbreak before. I can survive this.

But Lilibeth isn’t temporary. She slips past my defenses, tearing down the walls I built piece by piece. And when life throws us a curveball neither of us sees coming, walking away is no longer an option.

Now I have a choice to make. Smother this spark before it roars out of control.

Or surrender to the wild flame she’s ignited inside me—a fire fierce enough to burn away my past and powerful enough to light the rest of my life.

Wilde Flame is book three in the Love is a Cowboy series. Each book is a stand alone book, but the author highly suggests you read the books in order for a better reading experience.

Trope: Surprise Pregnancy, Dual POV, Cowboy, Enemies-to-Lovers, Family Saga, Friends-to-Lovers, Ranch Life, Small Town, Western Romance

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/WildeFlame

*****

Review:

Oh, do I love these Wildes! Wilde Flame is not quite as angsty as Wilde Ride but Caden is definitely going thru some things and he’s not shy about it. While he may be a grump tho, he’s a sexy, hardworking, caring, honest grump. And who can blame him for being more than a bit hurt. We knew that Rachel did him wrong but seeing it play out – ugh! That woman is a piece of work and unbelievably brazen in her self-centeredness. No surprise that Lilibeth in all her peppy, happy, positivity is going to get a … certain reaction from him.

And I have to give it to Lilibeth, she doesn’t put up with much from Caden. She knows something happened in his past, recognizes that he’s running on hurt, but she also seems to elicit a bigger reaction from the man. And once the universe seems to keep throwing them together she does a good job of figuring out her boundaries, what’s needed to protect her heart, and keeps to them. Caden is pretty hard to resist so it isn’t easy but she does it. Luckily it doesn’t take too long for him to figure things out 🙂

Elliott once again gives us a delightful mix of emotion, want, and steam. The Wildes are wonderfully close and they support each other, providing wisdom and comfort when it’s needed most. And Caden needs a lot! I love that conflicted cowboy but he’s stubborn too and isn’t going to make things easy for himself. But I was enthusiastically there for every single moment of it! And when he lets himself love again …. oh boy, is Lilibeth a lucky, lucky woman.

Review – Penalty Shot

22 Friday May 2026

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Penalty Shot

Winnipeg Avalanche Hockey #3

by Crea Reitan

Cover Designer: Rebeca Covers

Blurb:

You miss all the shots you don’t take.

DENNY

My world turns upside down when I’m thrust into single parenthood to my day-old son. Coming from a home where hatred and resentment thrived, I’m terrified of messing up my kid. Just when I’m at my lowest point, on the brink of drowning, a stranger shows up at my door and somehow, he makes it a little easier to breathe even as he makes the guilt in my chest a little louder.

TYLER

My world turns inside out with the loss of my sister – my best friend. I’m hours too late to say goodbye and by the time I get to the hospital, her newborn has already left with her fiance. Tracking them down isn’t as difficult as not falling for him. Everyday this man makes me fall a little harder as I search for the answers my sister took with her to an early grave.

This is a LGBTQIA+ story with content not intended for those under 18 years of age due to graphic scenes and situations.

Purchase Link: https://geni.us/pscrrelease

*****

Review:

This is my first book by Reitan and I’m not sure where to start. There are some trigger warnings so I would make sure that you read those to make sure the book is a good fit. It also discusses kinks pretty bluntly so make sure you’re OK there too. I’m kinda like Tyler, more on the slightly salted vanilla side of things, so while it’s not my thing personally I do appreciate where they are coming from and I feel like Reitan explains things well.

She also knows how to deliver the heat because Denny and Tyler are hot together. HAWT hot! While they bring the spice tho they also bring tons of emotions. I mean, Denny hits us right from page one with his guilt and his anxiety and his fear of the future. Then when Sally dies … ooof, it’s a gut punch. But Tyler comes at a time when he’s needed and they slowly get to know one another, drawn together by the miracle of a little boy and the impact from the loss of his mother.

And I love them together. I understand their hesitation considering who Sally was but they work together seamlessly. It’s pretty low angst while also being complicated, steeped in the problems that come from childhood trauma. It’s not easy, and probably could have used the advice of a professional, but I do like that all of them are willing to recognize that they may need to explore further to understand who they are.

Being my first book there is a lot of history in this world and within this friend group that I don’t know or understand. I enjoyed Denny’s story without it but I think I might have a better understanding of their dynamics and their needs with that background. Because these guys truly love each other, making a little family together that does everything they can to support one another.

They are there for Danny even before Ty’s birth and especially after, when he is barely keeping his head above water. Respecting his wishes while also recognizing that he’s not going to always ask for the help he needs. And that respect is extended to each one of their little group, doing everything they can to support and provide the care that each one of them needs. I would love to see more of this play out and am very much looking forward to seeing it in other stories.

*****

Author Info:

Crea lives in upstate New York with her dog and husband. She has been writing since grade school, when her second grade teacher had her class keep writing journals. She has a habit of creating secondary, and often time tertiary, characters that take over her stories. All of her RH relationships end up being heavily polyamorous – meaning it’s not just all the men for one woman. There’s also some M/M action going on. When she can’t fall asleep at night, she thinks up new scenes for her characters to act out. This, of course, is how most of her meant-to-be-thrown-away characters tend to end up front and center – and utterly swoon-worthy! Don’t ask her how many book boyfriends she has…

When not writing, Crea is an avid reader. Her TBR pile is several hundred books high (don’t even look at her kindle wish list or the unread books on her tablet). Sometimes, she enjoys crafting; sometimes, exploring nature; sometimes, traveling. Mostly, she enjoys putting her characters on paper and breathing life into them. Oh, and sleeping. Crea loves to sleep!

Author Links

https://facebook.com/crea.reitan

https://www.facebook.com/groups/creasgodlings

https://www.facebook.com/ladycreaauthor

https://www.instagram.com/creareitan

www.creareitan.com

https://www.patreon.com/creareitan

https://linktr.ee/creareitan

Review – How to Tackle a Crush

21 Thursday May 2026

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How to Tackle a Crush

Hearts of the Press #2

by Dani Elias

Blurb:

ONE PRESS CONFERENCE. ONE UNEXPECTED QUESTION. AND A CRUSH SHE IS DEFINITELY NOT QUALIFIED TO HANDLE.

Carlisle prides itself on being quietly respectable. Unfortunately, a shy proofreader and a famous football manager have just made that considerably more complicated.

AVA

I am not a sports journalist. I don’t understand formations, transfer windows, or why managers get blamed for things that look suspiciously like other people’s mistakes. I correct spelling. That is my area of expertise.

So when food poisoning wipes out the entire sports desk and I get sent to cover the arrival of Jack Westland, my plan is sit quietly, take notes, and escape unnoticed. Clearly, that was optimistic.

I panic. I ask a question. Now apparently I’m the journalist he wants following the team for an exclusive, which makes absolutely no sense. I don’t know football. I don’t like attention. And I definitely don’t understand why he keeps looking at me like I said something important when I was mostly trying not to embarrass myself.

JACK

I didn’t come to Carlisle for the reasons people think. I came to work. To build something. To be closer to my son. Being a single dad means routine matters. Privacy matters. Complications are not part of the plan.

Then Ava asks a question no one else thinks to ask. She isn’t impressed by reputation. She isn’t chasing a headline. She just sees things most people miss. That alone makes her someone I should probably keep my distance from.

Arranging for her to stay close to the club is a professional decision. The fact I keep looking for her in every room after that is… less professional.

What starts as an exclusive quickly turns into something neither of them planned for. Because curiosity is harmless. Attraction is inconvenient. And pretending they don’t enjoy each other quite that much is becoming impossible.

Fair there’s a cheeky dose of adult content inside. Set in England and written in British English.

Amazon

*****

Review:

Oh my goodness, I loved loved loved this one! From Ava with her somehow self-assured introvertedness, accepting who she is without trying to be anything she’s not. Hesitant but also willing to do something a little outside her comfort zone when she finds herself spending time with Jack. To Jack who has come to realize what is important to him and is willing to make sure that he is there for his son. And who unexpectedly finds himself enchanted by Ava and the way that she sees things in unexpected ways. Can’t forget adorable Archie with his love of all things dinosaur, of course. Elias gives us a bit of cheek and humor, a good amount of steam, and a HEA that is like cuddling up in a warm blanket. Oh, how I adored it!

Review – Accidentally in Love

20 Wednesday May 2026

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Accidentally in Love

Loveland Ranch #1

by Stacy Travis

Blurb:

Accidentally Pregnant… Accidentally Charmed by the Grumpy Cowboy… Accidentally in Love

When I inherit the dilapidated Loveland Ranch on my birthday, I do what any self-respecting L.A. career woman would do —have one unforgettable night with a hot, broody cowboy and skedaddle before sunrise.

But when I hear that a crabby neighbor is suing my beloved grandmother’s estate, I decide her legacy is worth the dirt under my manicure and start renovating.

Cue the hot, broody cowboy, who rides up on a horse and informs me he’s the crab. And just when I think things can’t get worse, the universe hands me another surprise.

A little pink plus sign.

Fitz and I have nothing in common except being fiercely independent. We come from different worlds. We have different visions for the future. We don’t share the same dreams, backgrounds, or even the same zip code.

But it doesn’t take long before I find myself wishing for all the things I’d given up on—a real partnership with a protective, kind, hot-as-sin man who reassures me I’m not fighting my battles alone. Except he’s fighting his own battles, and they may be too big for us to overcome.

Will this accidental family we created lead to heartbreak? Or could it be the life I’ve always wanted?

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4tiEc3C

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://bit.ly/3PKKx9C

*****

Review:

I really enjoyed getting to know Tessa and Fitz. I love the way they get together and then get to know each other better as time goes on. Neither Tessa nor Fitz are really in a situation, physically or emotionally, to get involved but life has its own plan. While accidental pregnancies aren’t always my favorites, I feel like Travis handles it well. She approaches their situation and their changing feelings in a way that works, in a way that may begin a bit heavy on the heat but moves forward with heart. And always with a side of humor and charm.

I do feel like there were some pretty heavy issues that could have been addressed further (and maybe they still will be later) and characters that we could have gotten to know better. And a little bit more of that small town charm 🙂 The dynamic between Tessa & her sisters and Fitz & his brother are sure to come up again as they get their own stories so I’m going to see how that plays out.

Spotlight – At First Spark

20 Wednesday May 2026

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At First Spark

Coral Bell Cove series

by Renee Harless

Blurb:

Lark Carrington came to Coral Bell Cove for a fresh start. A fading inn, a quiet life, and a chance to rebuild something steady after everything she’s lost. She didn’t expect her first real connection to come in the middle of chaos.

Holt Wright is used to being underestimated—long before he ever put on a uniform. The easygoing one. The goofball. The brother no one expected much from. Until he became a firefighter. Now, when the alarm sounds, he’s the one people trust when it matters most.

The one who shows up.

The one who stays.

Even for her.

What begins as a single moment—smoke, heat, and the steady presence of the man who pulled her back from the edge—turns into something neither of them can ignore. Long days restoring the Carrington Inn. Late nights that feel a little too honest. A connection that builds slowly… and burns deeper than either of them expected.

Because Lark doesn’t trust easily. And Holt is still learning what it means to be the man people finally believe in.

And when the past Lark tried to outrun starts to catch up with her… they’ll have to decide if this is just a spark—or something worth risking everything for.

At First Spark is a tender, slow-burn small-town romance about healing, showing up, and discovering that sometimes the person who saves you… is the one you choose to stay for.

Buy Link: https://mybook.to/atfirstspark

Available in KU 

*****

Author Info:

Renee Harless is a USA TODAY bestselling author with an affinity for wine and a passion for telling a good story. 

Renee Harless, her husband, and children live in Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She studied Communication, specifically Public Relations, at Radford University.

Growing up, Renee always found a way to pursue her creativity. It began by watching endless runs of White Christmas – yes even in the summer – and learning every word and dance from the movie. She could still sing “Sister Sister” if requested. In high school she joined the show choir and a community theatre group, The Troubadours. After marrying the man of her dreams and moving from her hometown, she sought out a different artistic outlet – writing.

To say that Renee is a romance addict would be an understatement. When she isn’t chasing her kids around the house, working her day job, or writing, she jumps head first into a romance novel.

Represented by Stephanie at SBR Media for Foreign and Audio Rights.

Connect with Renee Harless: https://www.reneeharless.com/mobile

Review – Revenge Mishap

18 Monday May 2026

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The Revenge Mishap

The Revenge Club #2

by Jax Calder

Blurb:

Rule #2 of Revenge Club: Don’t fall for your target’s brother.

LEO

I’m Leo Brennan. Tech consultant. Negotiator of billion-dollar deals. Master of the corporate death stare.

And I’m currently wearing a sparkly pink unicorn onesie with a light-up horn while screaming “I believe in magic!” at a roomful of sugar-crazed six-year-olds.

How did I get here? I tried to get revenge on my nemesis with a syrup-related “accident” at a restaurant. Except, I hit his lookalike brother instead. On his birthday. And broke his ankle.

Now I’m making amends by playing nursemaid to him and helping him out with his jobs, which includes dog walking and becoming Sparkle McHornface, the sidekick to a children’s entertainer called Captain Giggles.

The worst part? I’m starting to actually like the guy. And he has no idea the real reason why he’s on crutches.

ARCHIE

Oh, I definitely know.

The handsome stranger who “accidentally” baptized me in maple syrup thinks he’s so subtle. But I’ve figured out his connection to my estranged brother, and I also know something else.

Guilt is a powerful motivator.

And watching this grumpy tech millionaire wrestle with drooling dogs and declare himself a “pretty, pretty unicorn” to a room full of six-year-olds? That’s entertainment I can’t pass up.

But somewhere between his disastrous balloon animals and surprisingly tender moments, something else is going on. I’m falling for the real Leo behind the corporate armor.

Which is dangerous because I’m currently hiding my own secrets.

And the last thing I need is someone unraveling them.

The Revenge Mishap is what happens when revenge goes sideways, grumpy meets sunshine, and two men discover that sometimes the messiest mistakes lead to the sweetest love.

https://readerlinks.com/l/4692981

*****

Review:

4.75*s

Oh goodness how much did I love this one. The humor and silliness and the way that Leo & Archie connect, how Leo learns to embrace the whimsy of working with Archie. To understand Archie’s brilliance and his connection with the kids at the parties. And both slowly begin to see and appreciate who each really are. It made me laugh but it also got me in the feels.

I’ve read a lot of 4.5+ star stories but the last one that came close to 5 stars was also a Jax Calder story. I love the way she blends banter and heat and emotion. She just gives me everything I could want delivered by characters that I adore. Are the stories kinda outrageous and a little unbelievable? Maybe … but they are also so delightfully fun and sweet.

Review – Imperfect Soulmate

16 Saturday May 2026

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Imperfect Soulmate

Elixir Bachelor Billionaires series

by Vikki Jay

Blurb:

He thinks he dislikes her. He has no idea she’s the woman he’s falling for.

I’m Violet Morales — hopeless romantic and firm believer in the universe’s timing.

So when I stumble across FYS, aka Find Your Soulmate, a matchmaking website that promises to find your perfect match, it feels like destiny calling.

What I didn’t count on was being matched with Rowan Teager. Reclusive, selectively mute, billionaire — and the one man in our small town who seems entirely immune to my sunshine. To my face, anyway.

But behind the anonymity of a screen name, we are two opposite strangers falling fast and completely for each other.

The night we’re finally supposed to meet, I end up in a car accident instead. I wake up with a cast on my arm and every memory of my past wiped clean. Including him.

Working through my amnesia, I fall for Rowan all over again — this time not just the man behind a screen name, but the real, quiet one.

In the safety of his home, we start building something real.

But Rowan is convinced that his selective mutism and his silence make him wrong for me. And no matter how loudly I fight for us, he keeps choosing his fear over our love.

The question is — will he choose it over me?

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/084d1snr

Available in KU 

*****

Review:

Imperfect Soulmate is a lot like Rowan, steady and quiet but with more going on under the surface. Rowan’s past gives him an affinity with Violet that allows him to connect with her, to give her a safe place to rest while she recuperates. A place where she doesn’t feel like there are any expectations around her getting her memories back. But that same history has left him with doubts about himself and what a future together would mean.

I felt for Violet, having no idea what kind of person she is. Left without any memories of her family and friends, her past or her present. Having to discover herself again, trusting people she doesn’t remember. But she feels a draw to Rowan, one that gives her somewhere to figure things out.

Since I haven’t read anything else by Jay, I’m not sure how it compares to her other stories. It’s a sloooow burn and somewhat predictable, but it is sweet. Once you get to the main part of the story, you pretty much know where it is going to go but I like the way that Jay plays it out. (Love Violet for her bravery!) It’s not overly dramatic and their issues are addressed well, both Violet’s amnesia and Rowan’s concerns, leaving us with a satisfactory HEA. Y’all, check out her bio below and that’s pretty much what you are going to get 🙂

*****

Author Info:

What can you expect in a Vikki Jay book?

Cute small town vibes. Swoony rich dudes who can be over-the-top alphas except when it comes to their girls. Shy or sassy sweet heroines trying to find their way in the world. Adorable pets. Families you want to a part of.

All my books take place in the fictional town of Cherrywood and St. Peppers. I write about beautiful coincidences, finding love in unexpected places and times, and fighting hard to get that happily ever after.

Grab any of my books, if you’re up for for some cute, steamy read with a touch of angst, and some… unrealistic meet cutes which can only happen in fiction. ❤

Connect with Vikki Jay:

https://www.instagram.com/vikkijayauthor

Review – The Rulebreaker

14 Thursday May 2026

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review

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The Rulebreaker

The Dugout #3

by Piper Rayne

Blurb:

I’m the coach’s daughter. Falling for one of my father’s players was never the plan.

Especially not Decker Davis.

Chicago Colts third baseman.

Dependable. Steady. The guy everyone trusts.

And the man who’s spent years keeping his distance—especially from me.

We have history. The kind that ten years and a thousand miles can’t touch.

So, this time, I promised myself I’d be smarter.

No getting attached. No blurred lines. And definitely, no falling.

He broke every last one within the first week.

Because Decker doesn’t just show up for me. He shows up for my daughter.

Because he fits into our lives like he was always meant to be there.

Because he looks at me like I was never something he wanted to lose.

And suddenly, the walls I’ve spent years building don’t feel nearly as solid as they used to.

But if I let him in, I’m not just risking my heart—I’m risking hers too… and I already know what losing him costs.

I won’t let my daughter pay that price.

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3KxNsjw

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

https://books2read.com/t-rb

Duet Narration by: Teddy Hamilton & Willa Jaymes

Also featuring: JF Harding, Sean Masters, Connor Crais, CJ Bloom, Erin Mallon, Meg Sylvan & Austin Stone

*****

Review:

I loved that we start off the book with the Davis brother’s therapist POV and the way that this is used to tell their history & how they got to their current dynamic. It also gives us a chance to see some of the backstory with Penelope as well. Love that! Not just for the additional POV but the fact that these guys are seeing a professional to get the help they need.

And they both need some help. We got some of it with Foster’s story but I enjoyed getting to know Decker better and fully understanding why they got where they were at the beginning of this series. Their childhood left scars and caused a rift between them, one that was only starting to heal when things with them and Penelope blew up. Years later they finally have the opportunity to put those old ghosts to rest and work on more healthy relationships.

Now having the whole story, I feel for all of them. And I understand their awkwardness, hurt, and hesitation around each other. It takes a lot to be willing to open yourself up and take a chance. Again. Especially when it could cause someone else pain. Back to that therapist – kudos to her for helping them thru everything and giving them the tools for communicating with each other. (Love the mental health rep in these stories!)

As always, love the characters and the found family aspect of a Piper Rayne book. Hazel is adorable, as is the relationship she begins to form with Decker. As a second chance romance, my heart just hurt for Penelope & Decker (and Foster) and what could have been if timing had been different. (Although things might have been better with a little more communication but with Decker’s hangups I totally get that it wasn’t to be then.) Love getting glimpses of other characters from previous stories, seeing what they have been up to, and getting hints at what is coming. Definitely looking forward to the rest of this series! (And potential new series??? I can hope 🙂 )