I liked the characters. We see things from Zoe, Gavin, and Mischa's points of view, which is an effectiveThis is a definite case of I liked it, but...
I liked the characters. We see things from Zoe, Gavin, and Mischa's points of view, which is an effective way to tell the story. We get insight into what they're all thinking...but we also see all three of them have some major what the heck? mental moments. You could get serious whiplash from each of them at some point in the story when everything was going along just fine, when bam! they somehow decided in the privacy of their minds that it wasn't fine after all--with very little, if any actual reason for the switch in the outside world of the story. It was frustrating at times.
The chemistry between all three was fantastic, and the sexy scenes were sizzling...but ultimately their relationship(s?) felt unfinished. One character went way too quickly from I never really noticed that person before, huh, I wonder why? to I love you. Seriously, way. Too. Fast. There was a very small handful (three, I think?) of horizontal--or mostly horizontal, anyway--encounters and one dinner out with other people before the declaration. And the third person in the relationship (trying very hard to keep it spoiler-free, though you can probably figure out who is whom in about 30 seconds) didn't end up with any kind of resolution at all--they went from start to finish believing that they'd never have a true, lasting relationship with anyone. In the book they went from an intense three-way scene to slipping alone into the bathroom to...nothing. They had one more conversation, essentially giving another character advice and then just disappeared from the story. I really wanted that person to realize their own self-worth, figure out that they were loved, heck just feel valued as a person, but it didn't happen. :(
This was a quick read--I started the night before and was finished the following afternoon with lots of breaks to pick up the kids, shop, do homework, etc--but the pacing of the story felt off. Things happened quickly for the characters when they were on the page together (reference back to the above paragraph especially) but in between scenes there would be large stretches of time when they weren't in touch at all. After a huge scene between all three of them, almost two weeks goes by before the hero seeks out the heroine. Two. Weeks. Sure, he was on the road for nine days (though there's only a little actual hockey in the book, which was disappointing), but surely he's heard of a thing called a telephone? Especially when you made the big declaration last time you all spoke? Argh.
If the book had gone on longer a lot of these issues could probably have been resolved. We could have seen some kind of an HEA for character #3, and the relationship between the other two could have gone at a more realistic pace. I'm also not quite sure why Gavin's 16-year-old niece was brought into the picture, because that really added a major squick factor to their big scene--she was somewhere in the house, (hopefully, please god) asleep, but still....
So...would I read more in the series? I think I'd give them a try. Hockey players, after all, are my catnip. For everything here that didn't quite work for me, another aspect of the story did, so there's hope that another book in the series might hit the back of the net.
Rating: 3 stars/C+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Merged review:
This is a definite case of I liked it, but...
I liked the characters. We see things from Zoe, Gavin, and Mischa's points of view, which is an effective way to tell the story. We get insight into what they're all thinking...but we also see all three of them have some major what the heck? mental moments. You could get serious whiplash from each of them at some point in the story when everything was going along just fine, when bam! they somehow decided in the privacy of their minds that it wasn't fine after all--with very little, if any actual reason for the switch in the outside world of the story. It was frustrating at times.
The chemistry between all three was fantastic, and the sexy scenes were sizzling...but ultimately their relationship(s?) felt unfinished. One character went way too quickly from I never really noticed that person before, huh, I wonder why? to I love you. Seriously, way. Too. Fast. There was a very small handful (three, I think?) of horizontal--or mostly horizontal, anyway--encounters and one dinner out with other people before the declaration. And the third person in the relationship (trying very hard to keep it spoiler-free, though you can probably figure out who is whom in about 30 seconds) didn't end up with any kind of resolution at all--they went from start to finish believing that they'd never have a true, lasting relationship with anyone. In the book they went from an intense three-way scene to slipping alone into the bathroom to...nothing. They had one more conversation, essentially giving another character advice and then just disappeared from the story. I really wanted that person to realize their own self-worth, figure out that they were loved, heck just feel valued as a person, but it didn't happen. :(
This was a quick read--I started the night before and was finished the following afternoon with lots of breaks to pick up the kids, shop, do homework, etc--but the pacing of the story felt off. Things happened quickly for the characters when they were on the page together (reference back to the above paragraph especially) but in between scenes there would be large stretches of time when they weren't in touch at all. After a huge scene between all three of them, almost two weeks goes by before the hero seeks out the heroine. Two. Weeks. Sure, he was on the road for nine days (though there's only a little actual hockey in the book, which was disappointing), but surely he's heard of a thing called a telephone? Especially when you made the big declaration last time you all spoke? Argh.
If the book had gone on longer a lot of these issues could probably have been resolved. We could have seen some kind of an HEA for character #3, and the relationship between the other two could have gone at a more realistic pace. I'm also not quite sure why Gavin's 16-year-old niece was brought into the picture, because that really added a major squick factor to their big scene--she was somewhere in the house, (hopefully, please god) asleep, but still....
So...would I read more in the series? I think I'd give them a try. Hockey players, after all, are my catnip. For everything here that didn't quite work for me, another aspect of the story did, so there's hope that another book in the series might hit the back of the net.
Rating: 3 stars/C+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review....more
This one was...okay. Parts were cute, but other parts were a bit head-scratchy (goalies don't really fight much on the ice, skeins of yarn don't unfurThis one was...okay. Parts were cute, but other parts were a bit head-scratchy (goalies don't really fight much on the ice, skeins of yarn don't unfurl like a rolled up jersey--really small *balls* of yarn, maybe--and how did literally everyone else know that his dad paid for women to date him, even her grandma?) and we all know how I feel about not communicating--like Emmy and Dawson took not really communicating to OTT levels here. (Seriously? She was OK with him not telling her sooner the secret he'd figured out, because any earlier and she "would have been mad"? How does that even make sense?)
There are shades of The Shop Around the Corner and You've Got Mail here, minus the antagonism between the MCs (that's saved for another character instead), though the execution is somewhat lacking. There is hockey, which is always a plus, and I've always been partial to goalies, and the brother's best friend trope!--but even so, this book felt like it took me forever to read.
Rating: 3 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
OMG, Georgia and Dylan/Banks--where do I start with how much I loved their book?
Their meet cute takes place in a Vegas bar, and it's a lot of fun--thoOMG, Georgia and Dylan/Banks--where do I start with how much I loved their book?
Their meet cute takes place in a Vegas bar, and it's a lot of fun--though it gets a tad bit eclipsed by the fact that they decide to get married later on that night. (No, alcohol isn't the reason and also no, it's not on the page--we see bits of it later on but not the whole thing from start to finish.)
Georgia takes off, sends Banks annulment papers, and it's all over. Right?
Of course not! I read Wild Ride, so I knew what was coming. (If you haven't read it yet, not a problem. The scene is here again, this time from our hero's POV. But hey--why haven't you read Wild Ride? Do yourself a favor and pick that one up ASAP, you won't be sorry.) Long story short, the paperwork didn't work and Georgia and Banks agree to stay married for now for...reasons. Which of course means cohabiting--and sharing a bed when Banks' family comes to visit.
Marriage of convenience (of sorts)? Close proximity? There's only one bed? Age gap? Grumpy/sunshine dynamic? Tiny heroine and big manly hero (who's allergic to her cat but doesn't tell her because Cheddar "likes him")? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and YES PLEASE.
But this story is more than the sum of its tropes! Both Georgia and Banks have layers--she's so much more than the wild socialite girl that the world sees, and he's not just the newly traded (again) seasoned player brought in to hopefully help win the Cup before he retires. I loved not only watching them grow closer and fall in love (duh!) but also figuring themselves out as they did so. From the beginning Banks was Georgia's biggest champion and Georgia was his, and I was here for it. Their relationship black moment crushed me almost as much as it did them--but it did make things so much sweeter when they reconciled and headed off into their HEA.
And that epilogue--gah! My heart! So much sweetness!
Also--please tell me I'm not the only one who teared up when Georgia was doing her nonprofit work? Because OMG, I had all the feels <3
Hockey Wife is the 9th book in the series but could work as a standalone. If you go that route, though, and hearing brief synopses of how many of the other series couples got together (spoiler: a Vegas wedding and immediate almost annulment and later fake-ish relationship barely even ranks on the weird scale by comparison) doesn't make you want to read them all, do you even have a heart?
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ...more
Somehow this felt like it was a *slightly* slower burn than the first book (Claimed by the Center), though it's only 114 pages so obviously it's nSomehow this felt like it was a *slightly* slower burn than the first book (Claimed by the Center), though it's only 114 pages so obviously it's not really that slow ;) Trust me, once Sadie and Shane get going, they really get going.
Taught by the Coach is once again, exactly what it says it will be (and what Ms Archer says she wants to write)--an age-gap instalove steamy-as-heck romance--this time between a professional hockey coach and his daughter's best friend. If daddy kink isn't your thing, you might want to steer clear--personally I think it kind of hits different when the person calling him "Daddy" is besties with a person who has actually called him that for all of her 21 years--and Sadie and Shane really lean into the kink.
If you've read the first book in the series, you'll appreciate the *ahem* slight hypocrisy of Shane giving his daughter and her *only* 14 years older boyfriend grief about their relationship while he lusted after her best friend in secret, but of course you don't have to have read that one to enjoy this book--or the scene where Lilah and Kincaid find out. ;) (Don't worry, that scene is actually pretty low angst, all things considered. No friendships are harmed in the course of this book.)
Rating: 4 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
A sweet second chance romance with a side of hockey...I liked both Dan and Keira and of course wanted them to get back together (they were high schoolA sweet second chance romance with a side of hockey...I liked both Dan and Keira and of course wanted them to get back together (they were high school sweethearts and broke up because he was going into the NHL and she was staying home) but the relationship black moment and then its resolution didn't quite do it for me. If she was going to break up with him--again--for something transient as a comment from a mean girl puck bunny in the ladies' room (total "I know what's best for both of us" vibes there--she even (view spoiler)[did it via text, FFS (hide spoiler)]) are we sure a 5 minute convo with the hero is going to fix everything? Again, yes, I want them back together, but honestly IMO Keira needs a bit more confidence in herself and her relationship with Dan to make it work, and that's going to take more than a few kisses and a half of a conversation.
Still, this was a cute read--I just wanted to see a bit more evidence that the heroine was willing to put the work into the relationship than we got. She even said to her sister that she wanted the "easy kind" of love like their parents had--and her sister didn't push back on that. Only in fiction is a relationship "easy" folks (and yes, I know these are fictional characters here. But aren't we supposed to be able to pretend they're not, for the sake of story? Comments and attitudes like that just toss me right out--I fully recognize that your mileage may vary, though, so take my criticisms with a grain of salt)
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
We're at #14 for this series already--it doesn't seem possible!--and it's still going strong!
(Jack) King and Willa's story was so much fun--a pro hockWe're at #14 for this series already--it doesn't seem possible!--and it's still going strong!
(Jack) King and Willa's story was so much fun--a pro hockey player who's so impressed by the way a newbie (and completely unfamiliar with the sport) pee wee coach takes down a toxic hockey dad that he offers to help her coach? Uh, yes, please!
King is an age gap story--she's in her early 30s, he's 25--and I am here for it. Willa, a doctor, isn't ready for a relationship; her first one was not good, and she's hesitant to trust her ability to pick a "good one" the next time. King is beyond patient with her situation, though, and I loved watching her learn to trust again.
Ms Bennett is torturing us with the mystery of what is going on with new Titans star Penn--*King* finds out what it is, but we don't know yet--and gosh darn it, the next book isn't his either. (Or the one after that--I just checked her website and he's #17...sigh...)
As always, King is part of an established series but can be read as a standalone--but seriously, why do that to yourself? Who doesn't want to read a whole hockey team's worth (plus!) of books? ;)
I listened to the audio version of this book, which I enjoyed quite a bit--the dual narrators did a great job, and if they both come back for future series books I won't be mad about it at all.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ...more
Alyson Archer kicks off her new series with a bang...several of them, actually ;) Lilah and Kincaid's story is a smutty tropefest: age gap, virgin FMCAlyson Archer kicks off her new series with a bang...several of them, actually ;) Lilah and Kincaid's story is a smutty tropefest: age gap, virgin FMC, obsessed (kind of stalkerish, actually--didn't totally love that, but at least he fessed up to it and it didn't last long) MMC, instalove, with a touch of forbidden (due to the whole her-dad's-his-coach part). It's a quick and entertaining read, heavy on the two MC's preoccupation with each other and smexy parts, fairly light on everything else--pretty much exactly what it promised to be.
As with Ms Archer's first book (Wanted by the Champion) there is a bonus epilogue if you sign up for her mailing list; as an added incentive, you'll also be in the loop to find out when the next book (Liliah's BFF and her dad's) is due out!
Rating: 4 stars / B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ...more
Even though it's expanded and reworked (somewhat? I guess? I don't have the original to compare to) it's clear to regular readers of the author that tEven though it's expanded and reworked (somewhat? I guess? I don't have the original to compare to) it's clear to regular readers of the author that this is one of her earlier works. It just doesn't have to sparkle that her newer hockey-themed books do, the Off Campus/Briar U/Campus Diaries books. Is it a bad book? No. It just doesn't compare to what she's gotten readers used to from her. Someone who hasn't read the newer ones and/or has only read her early Harlequins is more likely to be more satisfied since they don't know what they're missing.
Rating: 4 stars/B
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
Foster is the latest in Sawyer Bennett's Pittsburgh Titans series--a nanny/employer romance. It's a trope I've had good luck with lately, which I apprFoster is the latest in Sawyer Bennett's Pittsburgh Titans series--a nanny/employer romance. It's a trope I've had good luck with lately, which I appreciate, because it is one that could take a skeezy turn. But that doesn't happen here, and as always I am here for all the hot single dad vibes :)
Their romance is both sweet and sexy, with most of the drama coming from Foster's ex wife, not from their relationship. I loved that both Foster and Mazzy always put Bowie Jane (Foster's 10-year-old daughter) first in everything--and that Bowie Jane felt like a real child, not just a plot moppet.
The story itself ended a bit abruptly--HEAs and a few more words and then bam! we're over--but it didn't feel incomplete, I just wanted a bit more, as per usual. ;)
A new hockey season begins with Foster's book, and we've got some new players added to the team. Foster hung out with them a bit--just enough to tease readers with the possibility of what could happen in their books. I can't wait!
Foster, as always, could be read as a standalone--it's #13 in the series. But if you really want to feel like a team player, read them all!
I listened to this book on audio, and overall it was a good experience. I'm not overly crazy about how the male narrator does female voices--the heroines especially always end up sounding a bit breathy--but the female narrator did a great job as always.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
Gracie York continue their nursery rhyme retellings, giving us a new, slightly smutty version of Humpty Dumpty this time!
(Though really--are there peoGracie York continue their nursery rhyme retellings, giving us a new, slightly smutty version of Humpty Dumpty this time!
(Though really--are there people out there with the last name Dumpty? If so, I'm very, very sorry.)
Mason and Rory's story is touted as a second chance romance--the title is doing double duty here, for their relationship and the original rhyme--though honestly, their original relationship was really more of a months-long friendship with one great kiss before BAM! it was over (for reasons that are explained early on in the story. It's essentially a misunderstanding).
Once they resolved the drama of their past, it was really cute watching them become close again and then becoming more. The forbidden workplace romance of it all made for some amusing situations as they try to hide it from their coworkers--that was a lot of fun--before they came to a pretty obvious solution to their problem, with the help of some familiar characters if you've read the Mom Coms series.
If you're a fan of the no-third-act-breakup story, Back Together Again delivers.
(Side bar re: the concussion protocol utilized here for plot purposes: interestingly enough, it was another sports romance that popped the "concussion victims need to be woken up every few hours" bubble for me--and the Cleveland Clinic confirms--there is zero health benefit for the practice; it's better to let them sleep through as long as they seem fine. I can't wait to see what new creative and even better ways sports romance writers will come up with to use injuries to bring their MCs together once they all figure it out.)
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
This was a sweet and steamy read! It took Hudson waaaaay too long to see how toxic his relationship with his dad/agent was, and it contributed to his This was a sweet and steamy read! It took Hudson waaaaay too long to see how toxic his relationship with his dad/agent was, and it contributed to his third act breakup with Gavin--but fortunately that just made his grand gesture and their reconciliation even better <3
The dual narrators did an excellent job; can't wait until the next book!
I really liked Emerson and Gianna's story--it might be my favorite Revs-related one yet? The way that they each projeThree words: edible body paint ;)
I really liked Emerson and Gianna's story--it might be my favorite Revs-related one yet? The way that they each projected such a different face to the public than what was going on beneath the surface--especially with Em--and how they both were able to so easily see beneath that surface and figure out when the other was upset or hurting...[insert happy sigh here]
I loved all the side relationships here, too--Em with his family and with his teammates, Gi with her friends and with her family--just so much fun to read. And the text message threads? Sheer perfection!
There was quite a bit of non-communication going on here, like with a lot of fake dating stories, but I really appreciated that once they each decided to actually commit things happened very quickly without a lot of butthurt feelings. And that epilogue? So dang cute! (Even if IRL it would be my worst nightmare!)
And yes, there's puffin updates here, for those who have already read Chris's story. (Technically this is a standalone, but Christian is Gi's brother and Em's best friend, so he and Avery are in here a lot--might as well pick up their story too, while you're at it ;))
We'll see what Kyle does to up the stakes on his story, which is next. We get plenty of hints here, like how many times he insists relationships--especially with single moms--are definitely not for him. Sure, Kyle ;)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
I've been dying for Dex to have a story since Tara and Fitz's book, and I am happy to report, he did not disappoint!
Dex and Ashley'sAbsolutely loved!
I've been dying for Dex to have a story since Tara and Fitz's book, and I am happy to report, he did not disappoint!
Dex and Ashley's story was a freaking delight from start to finish--the troublemaking hockey bad boy who falls for the single mom? Yes, please! Shelter pets with actual personalities (and not just because of the labels sprinkled throughout the book, like
Blu Domestic short-haired cat Likes: Playing with the toilet roll Dislikes: The Patriarchy
though they certainly didn't hurt!) and a kid who feels like an actual little person, not a plot moppet? Tell me more!
Add in the fact that Dex is (of course!) far more complex than the tabloids and hockey talking heads will have you think, and Ashley and Willa might just be the start to the family that he never thought he deserved, and I don't know about you, but I'm sold.
And oh, yes--there's also a healthy dose of steam in there to keep things interesting for everyone.
Wild Ride, like the rest of the Rookie Rebels books, can absolutely be read as a standalone. But in order to really appreciate how much Dex needs this HEA--not to mention seeing how all of his teammates who are living their own HEAs (the ones Dex is secretly getting kind of jealous of, even though it takes him a while to figure it out) got to theirs, do yourself a favor and read them all!
Earlyish on I was fairly certain that Banks' story was going to be next, and I was ready for it. Then a certain scene occurred, and now I AM READY FOR IT.
Is it September yet??? ;)
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
Even though their lack of (verbal and written--physically they had no problem!) communication for most of the book made me a little crazy, I really liEven though their lack of (verbal and written--physically they had no problem!) communication for most of the book made me a little crazy, I really liked Addison and Chase's story. I mean...hockey player, snowed in/there's only one bed, and it's always been you? What's not to love?
(Though there is the lack of communication, as I may have already mentioned. It's a bit excessive...though they do EVENTUALLY make up for it, so that's all good.)
Just a warning, though--if two people taking every opportunity to jump each other's bones (with us getting every. Single. Intimate. Detail!), even (especially?) when one of them wants to strangle the other is going to bother you, be prepared to skip pages. A LOT of pages, LOL. These two...I mean, it's a Maine winter, what else you gonna do, I guess? ;)
Not complaining--just consider it a content warning, if you will. <3
Possessive Heart is the 5th book in the Starlight Cove series, but it did work just fine as a standalone. If you enjoyed the small-town Maine setting and the secondary characters here (her brothers and their significant others) though, you're probably going to want to add the others to your TBR.
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
The Fall Out is a forbidden romance (coach's daughter!), grumpy/sunshine, friends-to-lovers romance with a bonus puffin!
I was thrilled when I realizedThe Fall Out is a forbidden romance (coach's daughter!), grumpy/sunshine, friends-to-lovers romance with a bonus puffin!
I was thrilled when I realized that Ms Bara was starting a new baseball romance series, and Chris and Avery's story did not disappoint. After the hot as heck one-night stand this book started with, I'm not sure which one of us was driven more crazy with how long the "to lovers" part of their friends-to-lovers romance took, Chris, Avery, or me ;) (I'm still not sure how they were both able to delude themselves for so long that the other one didn't want to be more than friends--honestly, neither one of them forgot *anything* about the night they met, so how was it possible they were BOTH so dense about it?)
Fortunately, once they gave in to the inevitable, there was no mistaking that their HEA was meant to be. Two more "outs" to go--can't wait!
This book starts a new series for Jenni Bara--in the universe of her Becoming an Evans series and a companion to her contribution in The Momcoms series (though of course it can work as a standalone too).
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ...more
The whole thing looked like a commercial for something. For Canada, maybe.
-Rory, talking about this book, probably.
OMG, I CAN'T EVEN. THIS BOOK IS SO
The whole thing looked like a commercial for something. For Canada, maybe.
-Rory, talking about this book, probably.
OMG, I CAN'T EVEN. THIS BOOK IS SO FREAKING GOOD.
Delightfully Canadian-ish (though--did he ever make her Nanaimo bars? Did she love them? WE WILL NEVER KNOW, lol) and honestly, practically perfect in every way--I know it's early, but I can't imagine a world in which this book isn't one of my top ten for the year. Maybe for the decade.
It's that good.
No--it's amazing.
Poor teenage Rory--though truly, in the beginning grown up Rory still had many of the same hangups that her younger counterpart had--my heart hurt for her when she made her decision to give herself a Canadian Boyfriend (though, could you blame her?) and those letters she wrote "him"? I can't even.
I loved how therapy-positive this book is, how grief-positive, and eventually, body-image positive. Seeing all the different types of relationships here--families (healthy and not-so-healthy), friends (GRETCHEN'S BOOK IS COMING! In 2025...), found families, and of course, Rory and Mike's ever-changing relationship status--made this book hit me right in the feels. Seriously--I laughed (so much! Just ask my coworker, LOL), I teared up more than once (almost always in Mike's chapters. Darn him), and even got full-body goosebumps at one point.
Like, I LOVED this book. Just in case I wasn't clear.
I 100% *will* be re-reading this at some point. But for now--I'm just so jealous of everyone else who gets to read it for the first time. It's THAT GOOD.
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book....more
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