Skylar Stone hates me. Itโs just harder to tell now that Iโm paying her to pretend she doesnโt.
Being a motocross legend with a pretty face has earned me some of the most lucrative modeling contracts around. So, when my exโs sex tape scandal puts my endorsement deals in jeopardy Iโll do just about anything to save my reputation โ including hiring my teammateโs uppity older sister to be my fake girlfriend. Itโs the perfect solution. She gets the cash she needs for her son, and I get to keep my modeling career on the upswing.
But riding 450s on a muddy track is easier than dating this woman. Photo ops and late nights turn into blurred lines, and before I know it thereโs more at risk than just my financial future. A lot more.
When the deal we struck goes way off course, the only way to protect our hearts, is to play it down and dirty.
Down & Dirty is the first in a series of stand alone small town romances.
*****
Review:
I liked these two. Skylar does make some assumptions about Corey but she quickly finds out that he’s nothing like what she thinks he is. He’s caring, with more depth and understanding, seeing her like no one else does. And while he’s already a good guy, Corey grows thru his relationship with Skylar, realizing that there’s more to life and their relationship than he would have imagined.
There’s a bit of angst – they got together under less than truthful circumstances so it isn’t surprising. It makes sense for their situation and their personalities, not drama for drama’s sake, and it is resolved in a way that worked for me.
While writing this review, I found out this is the first work by Lowe and I am pleasantly surprised. The pacing was a smidge off (it drug just a bit) but the characters were really well done and I liked the way their relationship evolved. I’m excited to see what comes with book 2!
When Trey Blanton left Westin McCoy, the cowboy life, and his familyโs Colorado ranch forever, he just knew he was moving on to bigger and better things.
It sucked to be wrong.
When Trey comes back to the ranch, he brings a ton of baggage back with him. His grandparents are both gone, heโs losing his sight, and his best friend and housekeeper has passed from cancer, leaving him with her two kids. To make things worse, he can’t keep a ranch foreman, and he desperately needs someone to run all the things he can’t.
What he doesn’t need is his ex to muddy up the waters.
Cowboy Westin McCoy leaps at the chance to work as Trey’s ranch foreman when a mutual friend offers him the job. Trey is the one he let get away thanks to his own insecurity, and West finally feels like he might have something to offer Trey, something that he can do to help. He figures he’s all Trey’s, hat to boots.
Together they wrangle old hurt, new hope, and all the things a busy ranch and two growing kids toss at them. Can they get over the hurdle of the past and work through all of the new difficulties to find common ground, or is history doomed to repeat itself?
Tortuga gives readers a low angst and sweet comfort read. It’s not easy – there is a lot of hurt and stress and adversity. There’s so much trauma from the last few years and it’s going to take a lot of love, patience, and work to get on solid footing.
West has the opportunity to circle back to the man who got away. But Trey’s life is so much different than it was before. It doesn’t take West long to recognize how strong, resilient, and amazing Trey is. And how adorable his kids are. He may be there to help take some of the weight off of Trey, but the man does not need saving.
I have to say tho that Trey deserves the chance to throw a few fits and I kinda wish that he had a bit more resolution for his own story. There is no return medically, and he did get some help around the ranch, but of all of them he seemed the one to come out of it with less. West got his dream job and his ex back, the kids got a nanny, but Trey basically got some help and a boyfriend. I loved the family they all made together but I don’t know. His world pretty much imploded and a part of me just wanted something more for him.
Hats to Boots is a quick and emotional read. I enjoyed being there as West found a place for himself in Trey’s family and they built a community on the ranch. Things get complicated but with a big dose of love and support they figure out how to make it work.
USA Today bestselling author Sara Ney sizzles with a fast-paced, sexy romp about a sassy fan-girl and flailing hockey star in this hilarious stand-alone…
I didnโt mean to roast Gio Montagalo, goalie and crown jewel of The Houston Baddies hockey team. Honestly, I was screaming at the TV in a sports bar like any self-respecting sports junkie does when their team is on a losing streak! So when his twin sister sidles up on the stool beside me, laughing at my commentary, I figured Iโd made a fan, too. What I didnโt expect? For her brotherโthe guy I called โa flashy ice peacock with the reflexes of a slothโโto hear about it.
Yikes. What were the odds?!
Next thing I know, Gio is in my DMs with a challenge: โHold up a sassy sign at my game and hit me with your best shot. Roast me in front of everyone.โ For him, itโs fun. For me, itโs humiliating. But I did it. Glitter included. And because the universe thrives on chaos, the Baddies won.
Now Gio thinks Iโm his good luck charm, begging me to show up with more signs. He also wants to see meโoff the ice.
What does a hot, hockey hunk want with a bookish girlie like me?
I try to keep my distance. Mostly.
Soon, Gio is showing up at my job for swoony kisses and trying to charm my dogโalso named Gioโand failing because my dog hates him at first sight. I wonder if this whole โlucky charmโ thing has less to do with hockey and more to do with the overwhelming, undeniable pull I feel toward him. Or maybe itโs fateโs way of showing me that sometimes, the guy you roast on national TV can be the one you accidentally fall for.
Fast-paced and hilarious, Hit Me With Your Best Shot is full of electric chemistryโand tons of spice. Austin Adam’s life just went from shouting at the TV screenโto becoming part of the show.
I think Austin is one of my favorite heroines. She is unabashedly loud, bold, and a bit nerdy. She’s smart AND smart-mouthed, keeping Gio on his toes. And he is there for every moment. He’s more than attracted to her brains, her body, and her sass. He’s also, probably partially because of his love for his twin sister, a darn good boyfriend. He may be cocky but he also works at being supportive and a good communicator. I loved him from page 1.
Hit Me with Your Best Shot is somewhat spicy and not very angsty but definitely a lot of fun. The banter between them is fun and cheeky and entertaining and I just adored them together. Their humorous meet-cute definitely sets the tone for the story and Ney delivers for the rest of the book. And based on the epilogue, I’m so here for the next book in the series.
(There were a couple of off things that I don’t know if it is because it is an ARC but … I mean, if their Houston is the Texas Houston then it doesn’t get cold enough for a back yard ice rink … minor things but they pulled me out of the story for a minute and may bother other readers more.)
*****
Author Info:
Sara Ney is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the How to Date a Douchebag series, and is best known for her sexy, laugh-out-loud New Adult romances. Among her favorite vices, she includes: iced latteโs, historical architecture and well-placed sarcasm. She lives colorfully, collects vintage books, art, loves flea markets, and fancies herself British.
A smokinโ hot firefighter. A handsome, lonely rancher. Can these frenemies turn a cosmic misunderstanding into undying love? ย Dex It was supposed to be my typical peaceful morning horse ride followed by a clandestine cruller, cup of Joe at the Flying Saucer, and the day-in-day-out routine of ranching. Instead, my world explodes like an alien abduction gone wrong when my high school crush has the nerve to cross my path. Too bad heโs even hotter than he was when he broke my heart ten years ago.ย ย Meyer I dropped everything in Chicago to start over as assistant fire chief in my hometown of Charming Butte. Of all the people to run into when my old Chevy breaks down is the one guy who inexplicably hates me. Now, I get to make my triumphant return to town on the back of his horse. But with my arms wrapped around his solid frame, I wonder if I can make him forget our past in favor of a future together. ย Note: Flirting With Fire is the first book in the sweet and spicy romance series set in the quirky small town of Charming Butte, where swoony men in uniform discover their forever after!ย
Flirting with Fire is a low angst, only slightly steamy, pretty quick read. I liked both Dex & Meyer and found them cute together. They have a little bit of drama with each other early on – a mix of leftover feelings from high school and a bit from how Meyer coming back to town might affect their lives – but then it’s all about them settling in to their romance.
If I do have any complaints, it’s that those feelings were an issue for pretty much half the book and then their relationship went from 0 to 60 in an instant. I think there needed to be a little more resolution of their dynamic and a deeper friendship created before they moved on. But it’s a small complaint as overall I got a kick out of the two of them together and the dual POV worked well as they danced around each other.
If you are looking for a light, fast read with enjoyable characters, cute banter, and quirky small town fun, Flirting with Fire is a good choice. I found it to be the perfect read for a lazy spring day, relaxing and enjoying two good & decent men find a HEA with each other.
Tropes: Best friend’s brother, hurt/comfort, opposites attract, grumpy sunshine, fake dating
Blurb:
The best way to get over a cheating jerk is to get under someone new.
Dominic isnโt looking for love or salvation at the Thirsty Cowboy. He needs a temporary escape from the drudgery his life has become, and the universe provides him with the sexiest distraction heโs ever seen. Sven is a sucker for sad eyes, thick thighs, and a Royal Cosmopolitan. He scores the trifecta of trouble when a broody hunk buys him a drink. Sparks fly, passions flare, and a simple kiss becomes a four-alarm blaze until an untimely interruption douses the men with an icy reality, pitting loyalty against lust.
They shouldnโt… They couldnโtโฆ Spoiler alert: they do!
It was supposed to be one and done but memories of their shared encounter wonโt let go. A single text triggers two years of conversations, healing, and an endearing friendship that could blossom into something precious if Dom and Sven were brave enough to take a chance.
An unexpected invitation could provide the nudge their scarred hearts need. Exploring their reignited passion for two weeks in Vail would be a heavenly hideaway if not for a hellish houseguestโs resolve to cause trouble. Family rifts and uncomfortable confrontations abound, and embracing a future with Sven means Dom must face his past. Is their love strong enough to withstand the fire, or will they go down in flames?
Starts With a Bangis a standalone novel within the Redemption Ridge universe. It contains mature content and is intended for adults.
Reaching into my pocket, I removed my key fob and unlocked the vehicle. The headlights flashed on, but instead of going to the driverโs door, I detoured around to the passenger side. I turned to face Stevie. No. Not Stevie. Sven. Maybe if I repeated it often enough, I could forget he was Kerryโs little brother. Sven had stopped several feet away, and my headlights illuminated his perfect body. I hadnโt been able to get him out of my mind all night. Other guys had flirted with me, but they werenโt him. Sven.
What I was about to do was wrong, but I could worry about it later. I grabbed the handle on the minivanโs rear door and slid it open. Sven was right. We were consenting adults and didnโt need Kerryโs permission. What had he meant about Sven not learning his lesson from past mistakes? It was on the tip of my tongue to ask, but I noticed Sven hadnโt budged from his spot. I forced my gaze up to his face and registered his hesitant expression.
โWhy a minivan?โ Sven asked.
I saw our interaction in a new light and admired Svenโs self-preservation. I was a virtual stranger who wanted to lure him into the back of my sketchy vehicle in a dark parking lot. โItโs convenient for my work.โ
Sven took a few tentative steps closer. โSo, no car seats or soccer ball hazards I need to be concerned about?โ
โNo kids,โ I said.
โGood to know.โ Sven edged a little closer. โWhat about tarps, duct tape, and rope?โ
I laughed for what seemed like the first time in months. โIโm not a serial killer either.โ
โPhew.โ Sven strode forward until he reached the open door. He squinted his cobalt-blue eyes and scrutinized the minivanโs dark interior. โNo lights?โ
โI disabled them.โ Realizing how bad that sounded, I added, โIโm a private detective.โ I gestured to the white van. โItโs nondescript, fits in everywhere, and lets me blend in during surveillance. Dome lights will make me stand out like a sore thumb during nighttime stakeouts.โ
Sven pursed his lips and nodded. โMakes sense.โ He reached inside the van and rested his hand on a captainโs chair. โHow far back do these seats recline?โ
โClimb on in and letโs find out.โ
โSaid the spider to the fly.โ And Sven walked into my web.
*****
Review:
Dom & Sven’s romance felt lighter than the previous books in the Redemption Ridge series (it can be read as a stand alone) but it was no less enjoyable. The beginning of the book takes us thru their first meeting and the months that follow as they slowly get to know each other better & Dom takes the time to get to a more stable place emotionally. I appreciate that they had that opportunity and didn’t just jump into any kind of relationship.
When Dom has to face his past, Sven comes along to provide moral support and a buffer. Bringing with him all his larger than life personality and confidence. And a chance to take their friendship to something more. It’s been a long, slow courtship for them. And for us ๐
Dom’s family is a hoot and Sven fits right in. By the end of the book, I wanted to enjoy one of their holidays. While I do wish we’d gotten a few more Christmassy shenanigans, overall I was satisfied as I turned that final page.
I’ve loved every book in the Redemption Ridge and while I’m sad to see it end the fact that we finish with Sven is perfect. He’s been such a high point in the last couple of books – supportive, sassy, and fun. I’m looking forward to seeing what Walker has in mind next.
*****
Author Info:
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she makes a living by telling stories to others. She wears many titlesโwife, mom, and grandma are just a few. Love inspires everything she does, podcasts keep her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.
A marriage of convenience forces a powerful duke to choose between his ferocious pride and unexpected love that melts his icy heart.
Reputation is everything in the ton. And no one’s is more pristine than the Duke of Pryde’s. But when a blackmailer threatens to expose his devastating secret heโs forced to marry Miss Modesty Fairchild, a woman far below his station, his perfect facade begins to fracture.
A budding archeologist, Miss Modesty Fairchild would rather dig in the dirt than host a gala. But a deathbed promise has left her the guardian of an orphaned baby. Sheโll do anything to protect her little wardโฆeven marry the heartless duke who looks down his nose at her.
Lonely and lost in Pyrdeโs elegant Mayfair home, she despises him. But his touch awakens a longing that leaves her quaking. And when his rigid control shatters, desire consumes them both. Glimpsing the tender heart beneath her husbandโs haughty exterior, Modesty dreams of a loving future.
But a villain in the shadows plots Prydeโs downfall. And as the Seven Dukes of Sin hunt for clues, the blackmailer raises the stakes.
Faced with a dreadful choice, will Constantine sacrifice his reputation and his fortune for the wife and child he has come to treasure?
Constantine & Modesty are such a great contrast. She’s poor, lower class but raised by her clergy father to be giving to others. He’s had everything (except his father’s love & acceptance) and while he has a big heart underneath he’s been trained to show a cold, perfect facade to others. Marriage and time spent together has her seeing that loving, struggling man underneath and she starts making him want for something more. But a secret from his past threatens it all.
While I didn’t think this one had quite the emotional punch as Duke of Luhst, I did enjoy it. I found the mystery of the blackmail to be well done and I really liked when the villain was unmasked. I do feel that maybe we needed a few more close moments between Constantine and Modesty. To see just a little more of them growing closer together and falling in love because I liked them both so much. The epilogue tho is a delight and I couldn’t have asked for a better resolution for them.
*****
Author Info:
Mariah Stone is a bestselling author of time travel romance novels, including her popular Called by a Highlander series and hot Viking, Pirate, and Regency novels. With nearly one million books sold, Mariah writes about strong modern-day women falling in love with their soulmates across time. Her books are available worldwide in multiple languages in e-book, print, and audio.
At least, thatโs what I thoughtโuntil I met Conor Nilsen. In truth, I didnโt know he was the goalie for the Chicago Falcons when he struck up a conversation the night of my bachelorette party.
He proved he wasnโt just some hot guy looking to score when he helped me get my drunk bridesmaid safely back to our hotel. Thatโs when he discovered my 30-before-30 bucket listโa list I hadnโt managed to check a single item off.
What was meant to be a night of stargazing turned into so much more. The chemistry between us was undeniable, and after one innocent night together, I started to question everythingโespecially my upcoming wedding to a man I wasnโt sure loved me.
Fast forward to my wedding day, and just as Iโm standing at the altar, Conor bursts through the church doors to object. And now, somehow, Iโm his roommate. Yikes.
Audio Full Cast Narration by: Connor Crais, Luci Christian Bell, Sean Masters, JF Harding, Troy Duran, Teddy Hamilton, & CJ Bloom
*****
Review:
Piper Rayne just keeps getting better and better. Just like the previous stories, the found family part of this is just the best. I love how the guys have each other’s backs and now that each is finding their other half, the women are connecting as well. This shows so well with the help and support they provide to both Conor and Eloise.
And I SO ah-dored these two together.
Eloise is working her way to figuring out who she is and what she wants out of life. She spent years with a man who didn’t love and support her the way he should have. Then she meets Conor. And, for not having had a serious relationship before, he is the best at it. He doesn’t always make the best decisions, but he’s earnest, funny, and all in with his support of Eloise. He so much wants to build her up and keep her spirits up. It’s just the sweetest.
We know that these two are going to end up together, since it is their book, but I appreciated the journey to getting there. It isn’t easy thanks to the way they met, who Conor is, and Eloise’s journey. With patience, love, and the support of their friends, they eventually figure things out.
(Part of a series, but can be ready on its own.)
*****
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!
The most dream-crushing words Iโve ever heard. Goodbye NFLโs Rookie of the Year title I fought for since I was a kid, hello return to my small-town origins and wallow in unrequited love. Seeing my best friend Chaz married and trying for a baby will hurt worse than any torn ACL.
But things have changed since I escaped Pippen CreekโChaz flounders beneath financial burdens and emotional turmoil instead of living his happily ever after.
Friendship takes precedence over longing, and I gladly take on the roles of comforter and supporter since those who have the right to love him out loud only see his failures. However, the more time I spend with Chaz, the harder it is to hide my feelings.
In a moment of mutual weakness, unexpected passion ignites.
Secret betrayal is a poisonous infection, but a twist of fate uncovers even more truths that further wound us both.
Will forgiveness allow us to survive traumatic grief and overcome guilt? Or will too much honesty end the other dream of always that has owned my heart since childhood?
So I went from a low angst book to one that is pretty much ALL the angst. We get Jamie who has just had a life changing injury and Chaz whose marriage is on rocky ground. They end up back in each other’s lives and long denied emotions come out, and quite a few secrets, leading to all sorts of complications.
I feel for both of them and I do appreciate that Burke emphasizes mental health & professional help. (I am loving all the authors that have their characters address it and not just going with love fixes everything.) Chaz has a lot of issues – with his marriage, his friendship with Jamie, and his parents. It takes a while for him to come to terms with things but he puts in the work. It’s not easy, on him or Jamie, but it ends up being worth it.
As well as angsty, this one is also steamy … eventually, once they work thru their feels. It’s raw, raunchy, and spicy. These two have so much pining and suppressed feelings that when they get to that point it leads to so much sizzle.
This is my first book by Burke, but she’s prolific & well liked and I can see why. She piled it on her characters but she takes good care of them as they address their issues and try to figure out what the future holds. I’ll be keeping my eye out for what she has in store next for the men of Pippen Creek.
The last thing I expect when I meet the new guy at work is for my life to be thrown into chaos. Iโve spent years hiding my attraction to men, but Luka is funny, outgoing, and for reasons I canโt explain, he sees past my introverted nature and wants to be friends.
Iโve never felt a connection with anyone like I do with Luka. He makes me want to open up and share the parts of myself I usually keep hidden. I donโt want to make things awkward between us, but the more I try to get over my feelings, the harder it is to stay away.
Just when I think my life canโt get any more complicated, I start chatting with a guy on an anonymous kink app. Sinbin might be a stranger, but heโs everything Iโve ever wanted in a man. But then again, so is Luka.
How did I go from never having guy trouble to wanting two men I canโt have?
Luka
Being the new guy at work isnโt easy. Neither is having a crush on one of my coworkers. Zander is quiet and shy, and doesnโt have the best social skills, but heโs also sweet and caring and one of the most interesting people Iโve ever met.
Iโve never known anyone like Zander, and the more time we spend together, the harder it is to only see him as a friend. I want him, but heโs straight. And to the outside world, so am I.
In a desperate attempt to get over my crush, I log into an anonymous kink app and start chatting with a man who doesnโt just rock my world but understands me in ways no one else ever has. I might not know what MrNiceGuy looks like, but he feels familiar, like weโve known each other forever. But then again, so does Zander.
How can I be drawn to two men at the same time? And more importantly: how do I choose between them?
Genre: M/M Romance Standalone Trope: Coworkers to friends to lovers, found family, hurt/comfort, anonymous sexting, kink exploration
This is just my second book by Dixon and like It’s Complicated it is super steamy and low angst. I loved these two, alone and together. Both of them are hiding their sexuality but are secretly developing feelings for each other. And thinking the other is straight, it’s difficult spending so much time together at work, believing they can only be friends. And then when they both make a connection with an anonymous person online, it complicates things.
I actually appreciate the way that they figure things out. And the confrontation is satisfying. I do wish we’d gotten a little more of their time together, to see them deepening their connection, but what we do get is great. Luka suffers from issues with anxiety and the way that Zander supports him is just the sweetest. And the way that their friends and family react to their relationship is touching as well. They realize that they have a great support network, one that everyone should have.
I’m enjoying these stories by Dixon. Low angst and high steam isn’t going to be for everyone but I like having that option. Sometimes you want the drama but then a more realistic look at two people meeting, developing a connection, and getting involved is perfect too.
*****
Author Info:
What can I say about myself? Itโs kind of like being the new kid in school and being asked to tell everyone a bit about yourself. Anyone else forget everything theyโve ever liked, thought of, and even their name in those moments?
A few facts about me; Iโm a veteran, Iโm Canadian, and I love books! Iโve been writing my own stories since I was eight and wrote my first novel at sixteen. Iโm the first to admit those attempts werenโt my best work, but they started me on a journey of creating stories that has led me to fulfilling my dream of becoming an author. Iโve written and published in several genres under different names, but MM is by far my favorite, and Iโm so happy to be able to share my stories with people today.
I currently live on Canadaโs east coast with my kiddo and my cats. I have a shoe collecting addiction, and I enjoy taking long walks, discussions with friends, and reading anything and everything I can get my hands on.
Quarterback Clay โMr. Perfectโ Braden is determined to show sexy scientist Pepper Montgomery the benefits of hands-on research in PLAYING MR. PERFECT, the first book in the Bradens at Ridgeport series by New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melissa Foster. Loaded with heat, humor, and heart, this steamy, small-town, opposites-attract standalone romance is unputdownable. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after that will leave you breathless.
Playing Mr. Perfect
The Bradens at Ridgeport #1
by Melissa Foster
Releasing Feb 12, 2025
World Literary Press
Blurb:
What happens in Paris, stays in Paris, right?
Oh, Pepper. If onlyโฆ
Okay, I admit it.
Sleeping with the NFL quarterback who the media has dubbed Mr. Perfect might not have been the smartest move, but Iโm in the City of Love, Iโd had a few drinks, and was jacked up on giddy girl talk and hopeful heartsโtwo things I never buy intoโand I threw caution to the wind.
I want to sneak out before he wakes up, but when I open my eyes, heโs already up.
In more ways than one.
Convincing the ridiculously cocky (pun intended) man that Iโm not the woman he slept with last night is awkward.
Actually, he makes it impossible.
The thing is, I donโt even know who that woman was.
And now heโs determined to find out.
About the Series:
Fall in love with the Bradens at Ridgeport and join these business-savvy, pleasure-oriented New Englanders as they fall head over heels with their forever loves.
I enjoyed Pepper and Clay’s story. There was a little awkward dialogue in the beginning but once we got moving all was good. They were adorable together, with each of them bringing out the good in the other – Pepper needs someone to to bring out her fun-loving side, to get her away from being all work, while Clay needs someone who appreciates him for who he is and doesn’t expect him to be “Mr. Perfect”.
But he is a pretty perfect boyfriend. He listens, observes, and pushes when Pepper needs it. He’s thoughtful in the things he does and the gifts he gives her. And how to relax. Which she does for him as well. Allowing him to remember what he loved about football and what’s important to him.
Playing Mr. Perfect is steamy, sweet, and playful. There’s not a lot of angst, drama, or miscommunication. Just a couple of moments where they let their insecurities overcome them but they are few and short.
(There are a lot of characters from a related series, with Pepper’s sisters. I’ve read some, probably not all, but I still got confused about their stories. I think if you focus on Pepper & Clay and just look at them as her siblings & their spouses it is a little easier.)
*****
Author Info:
Melissa Foster is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissaโs emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family orientedโperfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.
Romantic Reads and Such 