I adore this book...so much. This will be a go to comfort read for me when I need a reminder that no matter how tough Beyond 5 Juliet and Roman Stars
I adore this book...so much. This will be a go to comfort read for me when I need a reminder that no matter how tough things get, love will conquer all. You may recognise Roman (Vapour) and Juliet from Cards of Love: Knight of Swords which was the shorter version of their story. That was a 5 star read for me so I was really curious when Autumn Jones Lake said she was releasing their story in more detail. This is a much longer book and I devoured it , relishing all the extra detail.
Roman is in foster care, constantly shoved from pillar to post. His first day in a new school has him crossing paths with Juliet and they have a connection from the very start. He is the broody , defensive boy who doesn't belong anywhere. She is the sweet girl who has a hard home life with her abusive aunt and uncle. Together they find a kindred spirit in each other and a soul deep connection that even the toughest of times cannot break.
Roman is one of the loveliest Heroes I have ever read and Juliet is equally adorable. I wanted to fight for both of them - life is brutal to these two. I love them so much.
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Roman really is on his own in life until he meets Juliet. I wanted to slap the adults involved with his life in care. He tugged every heartstring.
She wrapped her arms around me and pressed her cheek to my chest, squeezing me tight. “We will one day, Roman. I promise.� Christ, I couldn’t breathe. I liked the sound of we. I’d never been part of a we before.
It was fantastic to catch up with other characters from the Lost Kings MC Series and other connected books. I was sat there reading and squealing when another well known character would pop up. It was like being at a party and someone you really like walks in the room.
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And can I just say , Autumn , I am wishing with all that I am that you may one day write Dex's book. I would be a very happy reader. Deliriously happy....
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You can easily read this as a standalone but anything Ms Jones Lake writes is fabulous so I would recommend everything by her.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No. These two are all about each other. No OM or OW drama at all. It is a truly beautiful love story.
“If I ever get married,� she twirled a few locks of hair around, “I want to wear them too.� I stepped closer and bent down, touching my nose to her. “What do you mean if?� “I don’t know. If.� “Juliet, the day I met you, I knew I was gonna marry you.� ...more
Gorgeous , sexy, Christmas second chance romance with a surprise pregnancy. Tobias and Eva were College sweethearts...soul mate5 Tobias and Eva Stars
Gorgeous , sexy, Christmas second chance romance with a surprise pregnancy. Tobias and Eva were College sweethearts...soul mates really , but at the end of College , everything went wrong and they parted. A few years later they reconnect for one night but that one night has a long lasting result when Eva discovers she is pregnant.
I love this series and each of the Holiday Brothers make for gorgeous Heroes. Tobias is the most reserved of the men and he is certainly the most guarded. I thought the conflict was written (and resolved) really well, but then this is Willa Nash (Devney Perry) so I have no qualms about handing my kindle heart over to her for safe keeping - she hasn't let me down yet.
All three books are short reads and I would have loved for them to be full length, but that is just me being greedy! There is a small dose of OW drama in this one, except it isn't really drama but I would have relished it if it had been. Had the book been full length then I'm sure more would have been made of it.
Re read via audible December 2023. Love , Love, loved the narration by Teddy Hamilton and Emma Wilder - This is definitely my favourite of the three books. At 3hr 33m , it's a quick listen and I enjoyed every minute.
The Holiday Brothers series continues with the second standalone book which focuses on Heath Holiday and Stella , his best fri5 Stella and Heath Stars
The Holiday Brothers series continues with the second standalone book which focuses on Heath Holiday and Stella , his best friend's little sister. These books are gorgeous and have kicked my seasonal reading off to a fantastic start. Heath and Stella have known each other for years during which time she has crushed hard on the more lighthearted , fun Holiday twin. Stella has been firmly off limits to Heath. Previously it was because she is his best friend's little sister, but now they are also work colleagues.
As they start to connect , Heath keeps the relationship on the down low from everyone. Our hero messes up but I loved watching him make it up to his girl.
Sexy , low angst , high fun quick read which ties in to the other two books but works well as a standalone.
Re read via audible December 2023. Excellent narration by Ava Lucas and Aiden Snow. Listening time 4h 11m. Still love this three book, quick festive read series.
Willa Nash (Devney Perry) has weaved her magic again and created a three book Christmas Kindle Nirvana that h5 Natalie and Maddox Stars (and Violet).
Willa Nash (Devney Perry) has weaved her magic again and created a three book Christmas Kindle Nirvana that has me itching to go onto the next standalone in the series....but first , let me tell you about Natalie Buchanan and Maddox Holiday.
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Maddox is a hot , self made billionaire who is three years older than Natalie and went to the same school as her when they were children. He never knew that she (and all the other girls) harboured a crush on the handsome eldest Holiday boy. Fast forward a few years and the now 32yo Maddox has returned to his hometown to be with his family. He and his 7yo daughter , Violet , have left L.A. after a nasty divorce and he has sole custody of her. Natalie is given the task of Nanny to the little girl that has seen off over 30 Nannies because she is such a handful.
I loved that Violet was not a little angel and she definitely tugged at my heartstrings. Maddox is a very likeable Hero and he and Natalie went well together. It's very 'insta' but it works and I loved every page. This book definitely brings with it all the feel good emotions of the season and I am excited to read Heath's book , Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother's Best Friendnext. If you enjoy single dad, hot billionaire, fun reads , then snuggle up on the couch, get your hot chocolate & biscuits and dive right into this Holiday Brothers Season. Enjoy!
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Re read via audible December 2023. Love this series and it's perfect for all the best holiday feels! Excellent narration by Vanessa Edwin and Aaron Shedlock. Listening time 4h 11m so perfect to listen to whilst wrapping pressies and preparing for Christmas.
HEA? Yes. I was beaming from ear to ear. Cheating? No....more
The next generation of Assassins Ice Hockey families continues and this story focuses on Angie and Owen. Owen is Shea and Elli A3 Owen and Angie Stars
The next generation of Assassins Ice Hockey families continues and this story focuses on Angie and Owen. Owen is Shea and Elli Adler's son from Taking Shots. He is twin to Evan and they have other siblings too. Angie is Lucy & Benji's daughter from Rushing the Goal, - Benji is not Angie's biological dad but he adores his girl.
Toni Aleo is one of my favourite authors and The Assassins is a long time fave series. I think it must be me but I keep trying spin off / next generation series and although I enjoy them, they don't quite hit the heady heights of the five star reads that preceded them. It's happened with several different authors series' lately so I'm sure it's me, not them.
This was a sweet love story and Owen and Angie are both very likeable. The two key themes running through the book are mental health / anxiety and body image - specifically Angie being very focused on the fact she has gained a lot of weight since moving away from home. She is determined to get healthy , and that is admirable, but at times I felt like that was overshadowing other aspects of her character. Another theme is sexual harassment / threat so be mindful if that is a trigger for you.
It was great to catch up with the other characters - it's kind of like meeting up with old friends again after a while.
HEA? More HFN - but the ending made me smile. Cheating? No. ...more
I absolutely loved listening to this book which is a single Dad / age gap/ workplace romance. It is without doubt oneBeyond 5 Connor and Violet Stars
I absolutely loved listening to this book which is a single Dad / age gap/ workplace romance. It is without doubt one of my top reads of 2021.
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Connor (42) is an ER Doctor. He is divorced from his first wife and their three boys (17, 14, 10 ish) live with him in the town where he grew up. Connor is the eldest brother of Garrett , who is the lead MC in Getting Schooled , and although this book does very well as a standalone, I would highly recommend Getting Schooled and Getting Played. As a Hero , Connor ticks all the boxes - hot, kind, funny, smart, cool, sexy but at times he is a bit clueless about women. Zachary Webber narrates the role so well, I could not put this book down.
Violet (30) is such a loveable heroine. When in work mode, she nails it as an accomplished , capable and compassionate Nurse in the ER. Out of work she is awfully clumsy and each time she sees Connor , she has a mini disaster. Andi Arndt does a brilliant job of narrating Violet's character.
I'm a nurse and I have to say that historically I have avoided Dr/ Nurse romances - too close to work maybe? The majority of my career has been in the Emergency Department so I was curious to see how that would read in this book... It read beautifully! Emma Chase was spot on with the whole colleague dynamics in the ER. The scene with Connor and the junior know-it-all made me laugh. How Violet described the way us Nurses warm up to each other because you have to prove your worth , the crazy things people come in with , Connor's explanation of nothing embarrassing us - all of it absolutely spot on.
The angst is low in this story but the chemistry , passion and romance are plentiful and the heat that builds between Connor and Vi practically shimmers off of the pages. There is lots of humour (I was walking around the park, listening and cackling away to myself) and I loved the connection between the Daniels brothers and also between Connor and his boys. There were also a couple of parts that made me cry - this book has everything.
Re read ebook version January 2022 and quite promptly highlighted the hell out of this book. I love this book and this series so very much. I hope there are more books about the Daniel's men in the future.
Re read via audiobook September 2024. Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber are superb. This is one of my absolute favourite romances. Love it more each time I read it.
HEA? Yes. And two fabulous epilogues. Cheating? No. These two are solid....more
I love that when I pick up a book by Aurora Rose Reynolds, I get drama, passion, insta love and the chance to catch up with cha4 April and Maxim Stars
I love that when I pick up a book by Aurora Rose Reynolds, I get drama, passion, insta love and the chance to catch up with characters I have adored from previous books. This works as a standalone but this series and the parent series starting with Until November are fab reads.
I was really looking forward to April's story - she is certainly the feistiest of the Mayson sister's and perhaps the most independent and hardest to know. April always seemed a little bit removed from the others, trying to carve her own way in life. All the way along , it was clear that she was going to need a partner who would get the balance right between protecting and loving her but also not suffocating her emotionally. That man would be Maxim. I loved that these two had a teenage connection from years back - he was her first kiss when she was sixteen.
Lots of drama, sexy times, fab secondary characters and a full on deliciously hot alpha Hero.
Gorgeous, sexy , fun and at times very poignant fake relationship trope romance set in Moo U.
Weston is the Captain of the U4.5 Abbi and Weston Stars
Gorgeous, sexy , fun and at times very poignant fake relationship trope romance set in Moo U.
Weston is the Captain of the Uni's Ice Hockey Team and is subsequently revered by virtually everyone. He is very lovable, very hot and very determined to never have a relationship because he witnessed his own parents marriage implode. That said , he is harbouring a huge crush on the waitress at the restaurant where the Hockey Team are often to be found post matches.
Abbi is the waitress who is working a couple of jobs to get her through College and she also has a thing for Weston but each of them are unaware of the other's attraction . Finally , they get together in a fake relationship but slowly it starts to feel much less fake and much more real.
Weston is a great Hero. What you see is what you get and he doesn't play games but he does push away when he feels himself falling for Abbi.
“Come on, man.”Patrick slaps my shoulder. “Back on the horse. Maybe you can find another playmate for the night. Someone to take your mind off her.� “That's not happening,� I snap. Not only am I not in the mood, I'd never do that to Abbi
As a heroine, Abbi ticks all the boxes - she is strong, funny, incredibly likeable and she gave this reader's heartstrings a huge tug. I cried for Abbi because of what she had gone through and I also wanted to reach into my kindle and bitch slap a secondary character for what he did.
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It was interesting that Weston was not necessarily bound for the NHL post College , he is looking to be a Paediatrician which I thought made a refreshing change in a sports themed romance.
Overall, a really lovely romance which touched on some tough themes but had a good balance of humour and fun too. Interesting characters that I wanted to know more about. I loved it.
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HEA? Yes , but I would have liked an epilogue looking more into the future. That said, I was certain these two were a forever couple - they are perfect for each other.
I don't know quite how I skipped this one as Devney Perry is one of my all time favourite authors and I have enjoyed The Edens4 Knox and Memphis Stars
I don't know quite how I skipped this one as Devney Perry is one of my all time favourite authors and I have enjoyed The Edens series so much. Anyway , I remedied my oversight and listened / read Knox and Memphis's story and loved it.
Knox is the second eldest Eden sibling and is a successful , accomplished Chef who has been back home in Quincy, Montana for five years after getting his heart broken in New York. I am always a bit wary when the Hero has been in a really significant relationship before (I do better with the Players of the romance world) , but what I loved about this book is that any semblance of love he had felt for his ex was completely eclipsed and annihilated by the passion , connection and intense love he had for Memphis. Memphis has come to Quincy looking to get as far away from her past as she can with her newborn son, Drake. Forced proximity (Knox's sister lets Memphis stay in Knox's apartment over his garage) and shared sleepless nights connects these two.
Single parent, small town romance. Excellent narration by Maxine Mitchell and Jason Clarke.
HEA? Yes - More HFN but you can get a bonus epilogue. Cheating? No...more
Devney Perry is one of my favourite authors. She writes beautifully and creates communities in her books that I justBeyond 5 Winslow and Griffin Stars
Devney Perry is one of my favourite authors. She writes beautifully and creates communities in her books that I just want to up sticks and go and live in, so I was really excited to start her new series, The Edens, and she did not disappoint.
Winslow Covington (30) , is the new Chief of Police in town and she is also the niece of the Mayor. She is a fabulous heroine striking the perfect balance between driven, determined, accomplished , kind & compassionate. She's so likeable. And she is trying hard to resist the gorgeous Griffin Eden.
Sleeping with him was undoubtedly a stupid decision. An addicting, toe-curling, stupid decision. Self-control was typically my specialty, but when it came to him, the rules didn’t seem to apply. Griffin Eden was tantalizing. Magnetic. Rugged and bold. And naked in my bed.
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Griffin Eden (31) is one of the descendants of the founding family of the town and is generally very popular. He has taken over his parents ranch and has no interest in settling down. He's all gruff , hot cowboy but there is a loyal , big heart beating under all those flannel shirts.
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Winnie and Griff are so strongly connected from the start. They both have reasons for not wanting a relationship (I understood hers more than his) , but neither can resist that pulsating pull between them.
Winn’s blue eyes broke from mine, and the moment her gaze dropped to my mouth, I was done for. I leaned closer. “What are you doing?� she whispered. “I have no fucking clue.� Then my lips were on hers.
I loved that Winnie played him at his own game and it felt absolutely divine that he was , without a doubt , the main pursuer and that our heroine had his heart from the start...despite all his protests to the contrary. The sexual chemistry between them is H.O.T. The passion shimmers off of the pages.
"Staying up all night having sex with a stranger probably hadn’t been the smartest way to prepare for my first day."
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I loved Griff's sense of humour and his friendships with all his siblings. Griff's brothers , Knox (Juniper Hill ) and Matteo are intriguing. Knox is more the brooding hero type whilst Mateo sound like more of a fun loving cowboy...
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The Eden sisters are also a fascinating group , from the twins , Lyla and Talia, to Eloise who runs the main hotel in Town. I'm already invested in this series. Devney Perry writes amazing heroines.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the suspense and mystery that runs through the book. It had me hooked and that's saying something as I don't naturally gravitate toward romantic suspense , except when it's written by Devney Perry / Willa Nash apparently.
This was without a doubt one of the best books I have read this year. Brilliantly written characters that own your heart , a plot that keeps you turning the pages and thinking about it even when you are doing other things. And finally , that romance....oh my...sign me up , I'm in this series for the long run.
HEA? Yes and you can sign up for a newsletter to get an extra bonus epilogue. Cheating? No. No chance.
Be aware (view spoiler)[ Suicide is discussed at length -investigated / Discussion around dementia / some violence on page. (hide spoiler)]
The Calamity Montana series has been so enjoyable and it's not over yet. This fourth book in the series can read as a standalone4 Nellie and Cal Stars
The Calamity Montana series has been so enjoyable and it's not over yet. This fourth book in the series can read as a standalone but this is a great series that I would highly recommend if you love small town romances. I wish I lived in Calamity!
My musical muse for The Bully is 'You Should Probably Leave' by Chris Stapleton
Cal and Nellie both appear in the third book , The Brazen. Cal is Pierce's best friend and Nellie is Pierce's friend and his second in command of his company. The three of them know each other from school. Pierce and Cal are both from wealthy families and Nellie was a scholarship student. All the rich kids gave her a hard time or ignored her. School was a hellish experience.
When I beat Pierce for valedictorian, I was so proud. So smug. Yet as I stood at the podium, getting ready to deliver my speech, all of my arrogance evaporated. Because I was staring at a crowd of people who would never accept me. Ace every test. Get a full ride to a prestigious university. Be smart. Be kind. None of it mattered. To them, I would always be less
This is an enemies to lovers trope that has a lot of push and pull in it. There clearly had been a strong physical attraction between them from the very beginning. Even aged 14 they felt a pull to each other but for various reasons, the relationship fractured and eventually the entire thing imploded. Lines were drawn and after school they went their separate ways until their late 20's when they meet again through Pierce. The animosity is bubbling constantly but it's a thin line between love and hate and when emotions are heightened , passion can no longer be ignored and so Cal and Nellie develop an enemies with benefits relationship of sorts.
His mouth was an addiction. The softness of his lips. The bite of his teeth. The wet heat of his wicked tongue. He kissed the way he played football. He kissed the way he fucked. Without restraint.
I loved lots about this book but the constant push and pull between Cal and Nellie went on a little longer than I wanted it to and at times I got a bit irritated with Nellie but then I learnt another snippet of their history and I fully understood why she was behaving the way she did.
Cal is a very lovable Hero. He is a cocky , arrogant athlete but his career has ended and I felt sorry for him as he struggled to manage the transition from NFL Pro Quarterback to someone searching for purpose. He was so in love with Nellie and he did everything to try and earn her forgiveness - again , I wanted Nellie to be less stubborn.
The ending is done beautifully and when Cal finally wins Nell , I had a little tear in my eye. Fab epilogue too that leads beautifully into the next book The Brawl which focuses on Larke, Kerrigan's sister. Roll on November...I'm impatient for more Calamity.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No. Once they start their hookups , neither has sex with anyone else.
The True North Series continues with Daphne Shipley's story. Daphne is Dylan's twin sister and they ar**spoiler alert** 4 -4.5 Rickie and Daphne Stars
The True North Series continues with Daphne Shipley's story. Daphne is Dylan's twin sister and they are the youngest of the Shipley clan. Daphne has had her tender young heart bruised before so when she crosses paths again with Rickie , who is also her brother's friend and roommate, she is quick to guard said heart. And guard it she does. But , Rickie is determined to win her over and so begins lots of very fun flirting and some really funny conversations. The opening to this book is really strong and had me hooked. Rickie is from a military family but is adjusting to his Summer helping on the Shipley Farm.
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Daphne has grown up on the farm so it all comes very naturally to her. On one occasion she coolly saves him from a bear,
Rickie tells the story of the bear to a rapt audience at the dinner table. Buttering my corn bread as he weaves the tale , I roll my eyes. A bear on our property is not a big deal. It's just a Tuesday.
And that is how she is. Daphne Shipley is a cool chick who knows what she wants and is driven and determined. And really serious. It was so lovely to see her loosen up through the story and Rickie reads her well. He picks up her cues and 'gets' her , probably better than any of her family. For me , I just didn't really get why Daphne was so angry at the world at times. Maybe I read her wrong but she almost resented her family a lot of the time and yet, she grew up very loved and cared about but she distanced herself physically and emotionally from her siblings. She's is a really well written heroine but it did take me time to warm up to her. That said, once I did then I was really rooting for her.
Rickie is an intriguing hero. He is very easy to like and I loved his sense of humour. The backstory he has is sad and he has experienced something traumatic but he is a very resilient character. The relationship he has with his therapist is one of the best in the book IMO.
There is a delicious slow burn between Daphne and Rickie. The tension builds as hot as the Summer sun and as always with Ms Bowen's writing, it makes for addictive reading. Rickie is a pansexual and heteroromantic , which is the first time I have read a Hero who has said this. He is all about Daphne and she is all about him. He encourages her to loosen up and she is his soft place to fall. Rickie is so loyal and lovely and it made this reader's heart happy to read their story. Plus , I love catching up with the Shipley clan. Sarina Bowen is an awesome author and I swear that when her pen hits the paper , pure magic happens. I'd highly recommend this book and this series. Reads well as a standalone but you will probably get more from it by reading the others.
I mainly listened to the audio which had fabulous narration by Callie Dalton and Zachary Webber but partly read also.
HEA? More HFN Cheating? No Trigger Warning - Sexual assault (off page). ...more
This was a really enjoyable, sexy , heart warming (and racing) read.
Cybil is reeling after the break up of her nearly ten year4 Cybil and Tanner Stars
This was a really enjoyable, sexy , heart warming (and racing) read.
Cybil is reeling after the break up of her nearly ten year relationship with her fiance Galvin. She decides to still go to the outdoor retreat in Montana that they had booked and initially feels awkward when she discovers it is a couple's retreat. Tanner is one of the three guys that run Live Life Adventures that organise the retreats. They are not some relaxing , take it easy glamping excursions...they are full on hikes that include walking up the sides of mountains and kayaking the rapids. There is forced proximity when Tanner gets Cybil to couple up with him and for the next few days they are sharing a tent...and body heat...
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Cybil is a sweet heroine. She slowly stands up to people that have doubted her ability to fend for herself and it was good to watch her character develop. Tanner is ex military and his character seemed as isolated as Cybil's in many ways. They both have no family of their own to speak of but both have made a family of their friend's. They go so well together and the chemistry between them is hot from the start. No one does insta lust / love like Aurora Rose Reynolds, she is the Queen of that hot , heart stopping initial attraction.
Good book with a couple of pretty dramatic moments that I was not expecting. There are strong secondary characters and Blake's story is next in Risky which releases in May 2022. If you enjoy hot, protective, alpha heroes who are so in love with the heroine that no one else even gets a look in, then this book is for you. Tanner is so loyal and he is willing to change his whole world to be with the woman who is the centre of his world.
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HEA? Yes. Gorgeous ending. I suspect we will see more of them in the next book too. Cheating? No....more
I am new to the club of Mafia Romance Addicts and Cora Reilly writes books and characters that I find fascinating. This is the p5 Perfect Ending Stars
I am new to the club of Mafia Romance Addicts and Cora Reilly writes books and characters that I find fascinating. This is the perfect ending to a series that I have enjoyed immensely. Revisiting and falling in love with their stories , this ties everything up but still hints at future developments. Loved it!
This is not a standalone and you need to have read the series.
I loved this second book focusing on Aria and Luca as much as I loved Luca Vitiello and Bound by Honor. I skipped a couple of boo5 Aria and Luca Stars
I loved this second book focusing on Aria and Luca as much as I loved Luca Vitiello and Bound by Honor. I skipped a couple of books because I am so invested in this couple and was itching to read more. The story continues and there is plenty of drama. The bitch from Hell, Grace makes an appearance or two (which I relished) but she isn't the only one out to wreck our couple's HEA and let's just say that Luca does not react well....
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I have to say I winced at some of the violence because it does get pretty brutal at times and it always makes me a bit uncomfortable but all the things I loved about this novel outweighed the violence. I defo skimmed the brutal bits though.
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You definitely have to have read Bound By Honor before reading this one. The great secondary characters are present , even if Gianna was a bit OTT at times, I still loved her loyalty.
I will definitely read the others in this series but I think a little bit of my kindle heart belongs to Aria and Luca Vitiello.
HEA? Yes Cheating? (view spoiler)[ No although it had me on edge at a couple of points. But ultimately , Aria owns this Capo's heart. (hide spoiler)]...more
I really enjoyed this book which is the first in a new Ice Hockey Series by Brenda Rothert and Kat Mizera. Ms Rothert is a lon4.5 Hadley and Wes Stars
I really enjoyed this book which is the first in a new Ice Hockey Series by Brenda Rothert and Kat Mizera. Ms Rothert is a long standing favourite author of mine and she is one of the reasons Ice Hockey Romance is my 'go to' genre in sports romance. Ms Mizera is relatively new to me but after reading this book, I am very keen to read more about the St Louis Mavericks.
This novel features Wes and Hadley. Wes has been best friends with Ben since they were small and they have progressed through hockey together, now playing together for St Louis where Ben is Captain. Ben is married to Lauren who is Hadley's best friend. When Hadley and Wes meet for the first time , it does not end well and they become enemies of sorts.
“Fucking ballbuster,� Wes muttered. “Asshole,� I fired back, taking a step closer to him. “Why don’t you go label some shit? Or iron your power suits?� “Go play with yourself, frat boy.� “Okay, guys.� Lauren moved to stand between us. “Let’s go our separate ways and not turn our best friends� engagement party into an episode of Jerry Springer, okay?�
When an unthinkable tragedy strikes and Ben and Lauren are killed in a car accident, Hadley and Wes find themselves the guardians of their best friends small children , Annalise and Benny. Forced together , emotions , and passions, rise and these two slowly start to see each other in a different light.
The characters are beautifully written in this story. Wes is an alpha Hero that is a bit cocky and bold but beneath that sporty arrogance is a loyal guy who is trying to rapidly readjust to caring for two small children and continue to play hockey and be successful. His team are also reeling from losing their Captain. Hadley is also scrambling to maintain a job, cope with her grief and look after two small people. She is a bit prickly and in the push and pull of her relationship with Wes, she definitely is the one who pushes away but I did like her. Annalise is so adorable. She made me cry and laugh. I definitely needed tissues at times , especially when she talked about missing her Mummy and Daddy.
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Annalise is so entertaining too. There is a scene where the St Louis players pitch in to help with her Superhero Birthday party.
Coming up behind him was our team’s enforcer, a huge Swede named Lars Jansson. Six feet six inches, with long blond hair, he was a shy, quiet guy who tended to keep to himself off the ice. I didn’t think he’d ever been to any of the team’s family parties, and Annalise had probably never seen him in person before. “It’s Thor,� she whispered, her eyes wide as saucers.
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I cannot wait to read Lars's story...
Great story with good plot, low angst, hot romance and characters that I want to hear more about. I am officially Team Mavericks.
The Ice Hockey season is almost back and so are my Off Campus heroes and heroines.
I was waiting on tenterhooks for this boo5 So Glad To Be Back Stars
The Ice Hockey season is almost back and so are my Off Campus heroes and heroines.
I was waiting on tenterhooks for this book. I had it marked on my calendar and had my own little countdown going on and yet right at the back of my mind I had a cautionary thought that I may have set my expectations a bit high. What if it wasn't what I had hoped? When you have so much of your kindle heart invested in characters that you have completely fallen in love with, you run the risk of overthinking any sequel. But Elle Kennedy absolutely delivers with this book. It has everything I was looking for but most of all it really made me laugh. There is a little thread running through it which had me cackling at my kindle.
All four couples have their own tale to tell and yet they all interconnect and the camaraderie , especially between our Heroes , is off the charts. I had read a shorter version of Logan and Grace's story before but in The Legacy there is more to it.
Lovely, funny, romantic and just enough 'gasp' moments to make this one of my favourite books this year.
This author is awesome and I love that she made the sequel feel fresh, fun and flirty whilst still twanging my heartstrings.
I loved this quote -Hannah overhears a couple of Puck Bunny wannabes in the bathroom whilst at a function...
“LeBron’s wife doesn’t put up with this shit.� “LeBron’s wife married a basketball player.� “I thought there’d at least be a gift bag.� “Ha! It’d have a can of Molson Ice and a gift certificate to Applebee’s.� I swallow a laugh. Women who date or marry into the NHL expecting they’ll be rolling around South Beach with Gisele and Victoria Beckham tend to get a rude awakening. The hockey scene is an acquired taste.
HEA? Yes - but I would love more -maybe a spin off / next generation series. Cheating? No. Not ever....more
This was my favourite of the series so far. Enzo is handsome , popular and a total ladies man. Women gravitate to his charming4 Enzo and Bianca Stars
This was my favourite of the series so far. Enzo is handsome , popular and a total ladies man. Women gravitate to his charming personality. All women except his arch nemesis , Bianca. She seems to be repelled by him , on the surface at least. Having known each other since childhood because their families are close , they are rivals until circumstances mean they both need something the other can give so they devise a marriage of convenience. Enzo wants to inherit the family business and Bianca wants a baby. Bianca is aware she has fertility issues and time is of the essence. If you are a reader that finds this an upsetting subject to read about - be aware it is a key part of the plot.
What starts as a contractual agreement , soon develops into a beautiful love affair. Both Bianca and Enzo are very likeable and Enzo surprised me the most with his kindness and loyalty.
If you enjoy marriage of convenience and small town romance then give this a whirl.
Re read in June 2022 via audio book. I am increasing my rating to 5 stars. Maybe 4.5 Charisma and Blaze Stars (2021)
Increased to 5 Stars in 2022.
Re read in June 2022 via audio book. I am increasing my rating to 5 stars. Maybe it was because I re read via listening but the push - pull didn't detract from the story this time. I absolutely loved being back in Waylon. Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton narrated so well. Listening length is just over eight and a half hours and I savoured every minute.
This is a really good Sports / College romance series and this book focuses on Charisma and Blaze. We met them both in previous books and they featured a lot in I Bet You . Charisma is Penelope's best friend and roommate and Blaze is the same to Ryker.
This book is definitely a bit edgier and darker than the other books in the series that I have read so far where Blaze is portrayed as being charming , fun, talented and bursting with energy. In this book we see the real Blaze and his backstory is absolutely heartbreaking. He is one of the most popular guys in college and his desire and determination to succeed are greater than anyone else's on the team. But there is a side to Blaze that is much darker that he hides away. He is scarred , emotionally by his past. If someone is made to feel like they don't belong or matter from an early age , that stays with them and he has never had anyone truly rooting for him or showing him love. If you've never had that , how can you show it yourself?
Blaze is a curious character. He acts in an almost self destructive way emotionally speaking. He connects with Charisma during Freshman year but they don't cross paths again for a while and when they do they burn white hot with passion and desire but can something that hot burn for long? It would appear not, because as soon as he starts to get feelings for her he dumps her , very publicly and harshly.
Shit. She really doesn’t want to be near me. My heart twinges as her words snake around inside my chest. I did that to her. I removed her from my life in a public way that everyone knew about, even though that wasn’t my intention, and it made her hate me.
Charisma is not without her own issues and hers centre largely around her body image. She is gorgeous and frequently turns heads when she walks in a room but after an event in her teenage years, she is painfully self conscious about her weight and compares herself to other girls. Blaze is being seen around campus with Dani , a willowy and stunning blonde.
And then he’s walking away, broad shoulders swaying as he stalks down the aisle, straight to where Dani is—staring at the lipstick counter. All hail the beauty queen. Seriously, she was crowned Miss Waylon her sophomore year.
I enjoyed the complexity of Blaze and Charisma's relationship and in particular , Blaze's backstory is very impactive and moving. Most of the time I wanted to hug him and protect him, stand up and fight his corner but then he would push Charisma away again and I would get frustrated with him. He has ADHD so much of the time his head is really busy and flitting from one thing to the next. That comes across well in the writing but there was so much push and pull between them it detracted from the story. That wasn't all on Blaze though - Charisma does her fair share of keeping him at arms length.
Music plays a big part in this book and there is a great playlist for it. I don't think I will ever think of U2's 'With Or Without You' in the same way again. For me , my musical muse for this song is 'Temptation' by Billy Joel.
The passion in this novel was deliciously intense, much more so than in the others in the series that I have read and I thought that that fitted beautifully with the complexity and angst of Blaze and Charisma.
HEA? Yes Cheating? No (view spoiler)[ There is some drama with Dani , the girl that Blaze is seen with when he and Charisma are apart. Towards the end there is a really brief semi intimate scene with Blaze and Dani but he is not at fault. Trust me on this .... he is not a cheater and his battered and bruised heart is undoubtedly beating for Charisma and no one else. (hide spoiler)]
"I’m not, like, sophisticated.� She does a twirl. “Look at me. I’m in Chucks and leggings.� “To this Mississippi boy, you are totally sophisticated.�...more
Put together a sports romance and add in a newly 'favourite' author and you come up with a thoroughly enjoyable book wBeyond 5 Serena and Dillon Stars
Put together a sports romance and add in a newly 'favourite' author and you come up with a thoroughly enjoyable book which proved impossible to put down.
Serena is our heroine and she is at Grad School at Waylon University. She is 24 and is working hard and keeping her focus on her studies and helping her family. This girl is such a cool heroine. She is kickass , intelligent , quirky and strong but under that strong exterior there is a girl who has been through the most turbulent of times and between the loss of her parents and a romantic relationship that consumed her whole , she now guards her heart closely.
Can our Hero break those walls down? He certainly shows great tenacity and determination and beyond that there is a soul deep connection. I loved that Dillon was smitten first. From the moment he set eyes on her he was done for and in this novel he is certainly the one that does the bulk of the pursuing. Serena isn't playing hard to get, she's just being cautious and when you read her backstory you can understand why.
Dillon and Serena first meet at a bonfire party. He is younger than her by just over two years - now...I know that I constantly say I will not read a book where the heroine is older BUT in this book it didn't ever feel like there was an age difference. They are both in a college setting. Serena lost a couple of years of education because of circumstances. Basically , the age thing honestly doesn't matter here IMO. Fast forward three years from their first meeting and their paths cross again and slowly our Hero starts to win our girl over. He is the hot shot Quarterback but he still has much to prove both on the field and off. I loved every minute.
The reason this book is a five star for me is that it not only has at its heart a gorgeous, passionate , and sexy love story but it also has a rich tapestry of secondary characters. Plus both Serena and Dillon have significant events in their past that have really shaped them that tugged at my heart strings and I found myself liking them both equally.
Dillon has great friends, Sawyer and Troy are lovely. He also knows sorority girls and it was so refreshing to have the heroine like and be friends with girls who were hanging with the Hero. Bambi and Chantal are so likeable and they really are good people who become friends with Serena. It made a change from a lot of books where every female character except the heroine and her bestie are bitches of the highest order. That said , there is one perfectly written nasty gal and I had the greatest urge to bitch slap her on Serena's behalf. And Dillon's actually.
Finally, there is Serena's family. Trust me, Chapter 11 is one of the funniest things I have heard / read in a while. Since her parents died, Serena has lived near her Nana (Nancy - best granny ever!).
"Nana mulls that over. “I can turn you into a country boy in no time, show you how to put a worm on a hook or shoot a squirrel. Serena hid my shotgun, but I’m gonna find it one of these days� You interested?� “I swear we aren’t hillbillies,� I tell him.
Her 17yo sister Romy currently lives with Nana too but Serena lives by them and has a huge influence in Romy's life. Such a little hellion but also a very endearing character and I really, really , hope that she gets a book at some point. There's one scene where Romy has been caught with her new boyfriend and she and Serena are talking about Serena's lack of boyfriends...
“You haven’t had a man in eighteen months, and I, for one, am tired of you harassing my love interests because you’re jealous—�
“Of Tree Boy?� I hiss. “Please. He gave you a hickey!�
“His name is Liam, and I prefer love bite. You should see the one I gave him.�
“He has braces! Doesn’t that hurt? Never mind, don’t answer that,� I mutter. “If I was Daddy, I’d snap a switch off the tree he climbed down and tan your hide—�
“You’d never,� she snips. “You don’t approve of corporal punishment, and you hate to see me cry.�
True. “‘Spare the rod, spoil the child,’� I quote. “Starting to see the value in that.�
This is a really well written book that grabbed me from the start. It made me laugh, tear up a little, develop an urge to slap a baddie , swoon and sigh in pure kindle bliss. I read and listened on audio. Great narration by Kitt Swann and Lee Samuels.
Highly , highly recommend.
“The night of the bonfire my heart picked you, and I’d do it again, a million times. Is there any way you could need me the way I need you?�
HEA? Yes. Excellent epilogue set a few years ahead. Cheating? No OW/ OM Drama - (view spoiler)[Yes , a little of both which added a good spark to the story. It was well done. (hide spoiler)] Triggers? (view spoiler)[Miscarriage. Loss of parents. Loss of sibling. (hide spoiler)]
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