I was really loving my binge read of this series when I needed to put it down and read some other books with heaps of different tropes so when I came back to this on my kindle, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to dive straight back in. But as soon as I picked it up, I was back in the world of these college football boys and their very lucky ladies.
We semi got introduced to the idea of Tatum in the previous book through her brother's relationship with the twins and by extension her. Reed, we knew a little about, so I was pretty keen to get this book and get to know him better.
I wasn’t really sure what we were going to get with the ex-drama and forced proximity, but I shouldn’t have worried. These boys all have the protective, possessive, jealous thing down to the perfect art and I could keep reading them forever.
Now I am off to add the next book to my KU and to say I am nervous is an understatement. I am not feeling very warm towards Zane but let's see how we go.
So, I just finished The Rival's We Hate and the ending had me immediately grabbing this book. I needed to know what the hell had happened to Hayes. But I had literally no idea who "that girl he had been hanging out with" was.
I was a little nervous picking this up minutes after the last one, but I soon discovered that these can each be read as standalones. Hayes and Everly's story was all about them from the first page and I was so there for it. Their first meeting was so real, and I immediately loved Everly.
Hayes had so much going on, some of which we had kind of gotten the background of in the previous books. But the main story didn't really revolve around that which I had kind of anticipated. Then when it didn't, I thought I knew where the drama was going to come from. Only to be so wrong because, man was Everly mature and Hayes just so genuine.
The chemistry between these two was second only to their trust in taking each other at face value and communicating like actual people. And I freaking live that in a new adult romance. There's nothing worse than getting all invested in a couple only to have one run off half cooked because they didn't ask for clarification or they saw something and ran away instead of dealing with it head on.
So far, these books are 3 from 3 and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
I picked up the prequel novella The Games We Win and loved it. Ava and Colter were so cute and sweet together and so I added this to my KU library thinking I'd come back to it but it stuck in my head. So, while I was sick and looking for something to read, I figured I'd give this a try, and it hit the spot.
Honestly, I wasn't really sure what to expect from Hallyn and Beckham. We didn't really get to know them that well in the prequel and the bits we did get made me expect this to be a little angsty. But I can say that wasn't the case.
Beckham was so swoony and sweet. I really didn't expect him to be so open and straight with Hallyn. That boy came across as someone who didn't take anything too seriously and initially, I thought he was just trying to stir the pot. But damn did he know what he wanted and not shy away from showing it. Throw in a dirty mouth and I couldn't get enough.
Hallyn was a perfect new adult heroine too. She wasn't scared to self-reflect and look at the choices she made without worrying about anyone's judgement. And she was more than happy to meet Beckham head on and acknowledge her part in everything. I loved that she didn't doubt her choices or make any arbitrary rules to stop her from moving forward.
The whole book was great. It kept my attention, and it was everything I could want in a college sports romance. I've already added the next book to my KU library.
I was given one order—watch her.
Not want her. Not touch her.
Reckless Need, an all-new forbidden, forced proximity, dark romance from bestselling author Lena Vox, is available now!
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MARCO
I was given one order—watch her.
Not want her. Not touch her.
Definitely not make her mine.
But Elena Messina is a beautiful disaster—sharp-tongued, reckless, and hiding secrets that could destroy us all.
She slips past my men like smoke, plays games she doesn't understand, and walks straight into danger with those caramel eyes wide open.
My job is to uncover her secrets.
To keep her from becoming a threat.
But the more I watch her, the more I crave her.
I'm not her savior. I'm her shadow.
The consigliere who's seen too much blood to pretend I'm anything but deadly.
And I'll protect her from the Irish, her father's debts, and every threat that comes her way.
Even if the most dangerous thing in her life… is falling for me.
ELENA
I’ve lived my whole life under surveillance, waiting for the Rosso men to decide I’m just like my father—a traitor.
Maybe they’re right.
Maybe I’ve inherited more than his debts.
Now Marco Conti, the Consigliere himself, has moved into my world.
Brooding, relentless, devastatingly handsome.
He treats me like a problem to solve.
A responsibility.
But I see the way he kisses me against my door.
Like he's already lost.
Because I might be his assignment, but I'm the one he can’t seem to escape.
Start reading today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/ymjee9pj
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For more information about Lena Vox and her books, visit her IG: https://www.instagram.com/lenavoxauthor/
CARELESS STORM
Katherine Jay
Release Date: December 18
Blurb:
I’m not his to protect, but the NFL's bad boy has never been one to follow the rules.
Six years ago, I was living my dream life. Supportive family, amazing friends, admission into my dream college... And a secret relationship with my brother’s best friend.
Zane and I had it all worked out until one horrific moment tore our worlds apart, sending us spiraling in different directions.
Now he’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons, while I’m drifting through life, dating his biggest rival.
But just as I start questioning my future, Zane reappears. He was never supposed to come back, yet here he is, reminding me of my worth, begging me to walk away from a man who never truly valued me.
Everything has changed, yet he’s the same—confident, charismatic, and looking at me with fire still burning in his eyes. It’s impossible to pretend he’s not the incredible man I once knew.
I try to keep my distance, but for the first time since losing it all, I’m starting to find my strength. And it’s all thanks to Zane’s unwavering support.
But it turns out, I’m not the only one who’s broken, and the only way forward is to face the past…together.
Careless Storm is a second chance sports romance full of angst, banter and steam.
Buy Link:
Available in KU
Meet Katherine Jay:
Katherine Jay writes angsty romance with love worth fighting for.
Connect with Katherine Jay:
https://www.katherinejayauthor.com/general-4
BURNING SKIES
Lex Martin
Wild at Heart #3
Release Date: January 22
Blurb:
Crossing a line has never felt this good.
I’m what you’d call a good girl—at least that’s what my family thinks. But I’m tired of living by everyone else’s rules. So when I sneak into a scandalous, masked costume party and spot Beau Walker—my longtime crush and family’s sworn enemy—I do something bold: I throw caution to the wind and cross the one line that's utterly forbidden.
Hidden by shadows and masks, we lose ourselves in the hottest night of my life. Until I accidentally moan his name, and everything comes crashing to a halt.
Beau says things I can’t forget, and my fantasy of him shatters along with my heart.
But when a series of fires at the high school where I teach becomes suspiciously frequent, I’m forced to see the one firefighter I wish I could forget.
And when our long-simmering tension finally ignites, the heat between us lights up the sky—and reveals a danger neither of us saw coming.
Burning Skies is an enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance that features a scorchingly hot firefighter and the little sister of his long-time nemesis. If you enjoy cowboy families, old vendettas, and small towns brimming with secrets, this one is for you!
Pre-Order Link:
https://geni.us/BurningSkiesEbook
Meet Lex Martin:
Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of Varsity Dads, Texas Nights, and the Dearest series. She writes contemporary romance novels, the steamy kind she hopes readers love but her parents avoid.
She’s always been obsessed with writing, starting in elementary school when she would pen short stories and make her father read them. (Afterward, he’d have to take her tests, but he was a good sport and did them without complaint.)
In high school, when she wasn’t playing basketball, she wrote emo poetry (that won awards, go figure) and worked on the school newspaper.
She later became a nationally-certified high school English teacher and freelance journalist but decided she’d rather write romance novels than tests or city hall articles.
Lex loves coffee, rom coms, pen hoarding, planners, and college football. She married her almost college sweetheart (they met right after graduation), and she’s still obsessed with him, especially when he writes her songs.
She currently resides in her hometown of San Antonio with her husband, twin daughters, a bunny, and their new puppy. Drop her a line at lex (at) lexmartinwrites.com. She loves hearing from readers.
Lex is represented by Kimberly Brower of Brower Literary & Management.
Connect with Lex Martin:
A.L. Jackson has revealed the covers for On the Brink of Bliss!
On the Brink of Bliss
By: A.L. Jackson
Moonlit Ridge #5
Releasing: February 10, 2026
Cover Designer: Qamber Designs
Photographer: Michelle Lancaster Photography
A sizzling single mom, fake marriage, heroine in danger romance from New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, A.L. Jackson
The last thing I expected when I found the trespasser bathing in my river was for it to be her…
Daisy Adair has always been my dream girl. From when we were best friends in high school to finding her now.
A gorgeous mother who shows up on my property with three kids in tow.
But I became a recluse for a reason.
The life I chose is full of wickedness and peril. The last thing I need is the object of my every fantasy invading my space and risking her life because of me.
Only when she tells me she’s on the run from her ex, I promise to do anything to keep them safe, even marry her to protect her kids.
That single kiss at the altar rips through every barrier, our passion unleashed.
Now, living under the same roof blurs the lines I’ve drawn.
Each glance of her down the hall and I am splintering.
Each brush of her hand and I am brought to my knees.
Our future—bright, hopeful, and almost within reach—hovers on the edge of becoming real…
Until we discover the threat surrounding her is grimmer than either of us imagined.
Now I’m fighting to save her and her children before our second chance at forever is burned to the ground…
Pre-order today!
Audible: Coming soon!
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