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Tag Archives: Beth Bolden

Review – Perfect Storm

20 Monday Oct 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Beth Bolden, Book Review, Perfect Storm, Toronto Thunder series

Perfect Storm

Book #1 in the Toronto Thunder series

by Beth Bolden

Designer: Ozark Witch Cover Design

Photographer: Cadwallader Photography, LLC

Model: Trevor Brachtenbach

Blurb:

When the sexy little brother of Aidan’s best friend suggests a hookup pact, it’s the perfect storm for a bi-awakening . . .

Toronto Thunder quarterback Aidan Flynn always believed he was straight, until his close friend and favorite wide receiver signs with a team across the country. Distance opens his eyes and unlocks a desire he can’t deny. Even if his feelings aren’t returned, Aidan still wants to learn more about this part of himself.

Frustrated and a little heartbroken, the last thing he expects is for his crappy mood to get called out by his best friend’s little brother. Or for Levi to offer, on one drunken night, a pact: if Aidan never gets together with his guy, Levi will show him everything he’s been missing—and wanting—in bed.

It’s a stupid promise, fueled by booze and heartbreak, and Aidan expects that Levi will never call him on it.

Except Levi does. He shows up at Aidan’s house in Toronto less than two months later, not only willing to fulfill his side of the pact, but now signed to the Thunder as Aidan’s new right tackle. Aidan assumes it’ll be easy to get rid of him, but Levi is charming and persistent, and he not only ends up living in Aidan’s house, but sleeping in Aidan’s bed.

It’s easy and fun and the best hookup Aidan’s ever had in his whole life. It’s so good, in fact, Aidan starts to experience feelings he believed were long gone, traded away with his friend. Maybe with Levi in his life, love isn’t such a lost cause, after all.

They’re great on the field and between the sheets. But when Aidan’s past returns, he must decide whether Levi also has a place in his heart.

Tropes: sexual discovery, best friend’s little brother, hookup pact, roommates to friends to lovers

On Amazon & Kindle Unlimited:  https://readerlinks.com/l/5019187

Available on: Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and audio narrated by Darcy Stark (est November)

*****

Review:

I adored Aidan and Levi together, as they explore their feelings and the connection that grows between them. This is definitely an opposites attract kind of thing because Levi is pretty free spirited, comfortable in his skin and his sexuality, whereas Aidan struggles a bit about how he’s viewed and letting himself relax. He’s stoic and controlled but his relationship with & feelings for Levi are … nothing like that 🙂

What starts out as something a little fun and flirtatious, turns into something different when Levi unexpectedly joins the Thunder. He lets Aidan set the pace, helping him to come to terms with the change in his sexuality and his new situation. He’s there as a friend, and possibly something more, pushing when it’s needed and stepping back when things get too much. But with patience, honesty, and some self reflection, they’ll figure things out.

I cannot say enough about how much I love Beth Bolden’s books. It makes me so very happy to know that there is a new series (pretty sure I saw that it will end up being 8 books!?!?!) set in the Condors, Piranhas, Riptide universe. This one isn’t as angsty as the last Bolden story I read – which was one of the hockey ones, Breakaway Goals – but it has a good dose of warmth, growth, and heat. And I am so, so ready for the next one!

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Review – Breakaway Goals

19 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Beth Bolden, Book Review, Breakaway Goals

Breakaway Goals

Standalone in the Evergreens universe

by Beth Bolden

Release Date: August 20

Designer: Ozark Witch Cover Design
Photographer: Cadwallader Photography, LLC
Model: Aaron Wolber

Blurb:

Tampa Sentinels Captain Hayes Montgomery has hero-worshipped Morgan Reynolds his entire career, watching as the larger-than-life hockey star has racked up stats that always seemed unreal. Unattainable. Unreachable.

Until Hayes himself is labeled “the next one” and to his surprise, he and Morgan end up on the same team together, playing for Team USA in a nation versus nation tournament.

Now Hayes’ hero isn’t just his teammate, but his linemate. They’re hot on the ice, and despite Morgan’s straight reputation, off it too.

It’s only ten days, but it’s the best ten days of his life. That shouldn’t be long enough for a hockey crush to morph into a real crush, but Hayes falls head over heels, launch-himself-off-a-cliff, wildly in love with Morgan, anyway.

They don’t play on the same team or even on the same coast. Normally, they’re never in the same zip code, but that doesn’t change Hayes’ feelings—or his regret when the fling ends.

Fast forward six years. Morgan’s retired, Hayes is writing his own name in the record books, and he’s sure he’s over it. Over him.

But then Morgan arrives in Tampa to watch his rookie son play for the Sentinels.

He doesn’t want to be hung up on his teammate’s dad, but it doesn’t matter how long it’s been or what he’s tried. Morgan still makes Hayes’ knees weak.

And when it turns out Morgan has his own Hayes’ shaped regret?

Maybe they can finally find their way back to each other again.

Tropes: second chance, age gap, he fell first/he fell harder, son’s captain, player x ex-player, pining, groveling

Available on: Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, paperback, and audio narrated by Darcy Stark (est September)

Preorder: https://readerlinks.com/l/4898260

*****

Review:

I haven’t read the other stories in the Evergreens universe, and I get the idea that we were teased a bit about Hayes and Morgan, but oh goodness this one stood up well on its own. Maybe it would have given me even more of the feels, IDK, but it definitely was a heart-wrencher.

Pretty much the first half is Hayes and Morgan falling in love. I liked how Bolden handled Morgan’s bi-awakening – with his acceptance of his son’s sexuality, I felt like it was a little easier for him to accept his own. It’s hot and sweet and fabulously perfect … until it isn’t.

The next quarter or so was definitely all the angst, with neither of them handling things well but it’s not really surprising. I mean, they are both carrying so much and there are so many things standing in their way. Would a clearing the air conversation have helped? Sure, but I feel like this was much more realistic for the kind of people they are. And I feel like they definitely came back into each other’s lives at the right time to get the HEA they deserve.

Are you looking for a rollercoaster of a read? Hope so because Bolden brings it ALL, both good and bad, and doesn’t let up until the end.

~

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

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

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