I really don't know where to start with this review. I love this author's writing. I am loving this series. I couldn't get enough of this couple and I loved the story. But, and I want to put in the proviso that I think this was a me problem, the start of the relationship felt too sudden and I missed out on the feels.
Now in saying that, I got all the feels in this book, they just didn't hit until after the first third or quarter. Until that point I was getting the words but they didn't align with any actual chemistry or event for me. Then Laiken got all possessive and protective and I got everything I had been missing. Once Laiken fell for Kia and actually went about winning her over I couldn't put the book down.
Elody was naturally the star of the show, her relationship with Kia was so sweet and genuine. And Laiken was such an awesome dad. I loved that he would do anything for Elody but he never used her as an excuse to not pursue Kia. All of the hiccups and dramas I was anticipating through the story never hit or hit differently and that just made the story even better.
Oh and those epilogues. Chef's kiss. I can't wait for the next one. Teasing us with Evelyn and Hugh is just genius level meanness. And I'm here for it.
Hold Me Tight by Jennifer Sucevic is now live!
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A steamy single mom, enemies-to-lovers, best friend’s ex, pro hockey romance from USA Today and Amazon Top 26 bestselling author Jennifer Sucevic.
I swore I’d never fall for another hockey player.
Not after Zane. My ex and the father of my daughter.
But when I need a place to stay, River Thompson is the one who opens his door.
My ex’s teammate and best friend.
Completely off-limits.
The man who looks at me like I’ve always belonged to him.
There’s just one catch… I have to share his bed.
Living under the same roof makes it impossible to ignore the way he’s been quietly biding his time. He’s patient, protective, and determined to prove he’s not like the man who broke me. And the way he is with my daughter makes it even harder to guard my heart.
Every night I spend in his bed, the slow burn between us threatens to ignite.
Trusting River means risking not only my heart, but my daughter’s too.
The scariest part?
I’m starting to believe he might be worth it.
Hold Me Tight is a best friend’s ex, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn pro hockey romance with a hero who’s been biding his time—and a heroine afraid to trust her heart to the wrong man again.
My Review
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I am so incredibly torn about my feelings on this book. As soon as I started reading I was back at the previous book with River watching Callie and all the things I was anticipating from the little teases of them. And for the first 30 to 50% I thought yes this is going to be a 5 star read,tThis is exactly why I am obsessed with the author's work and then I got annoyed and wanted to scream and rant a little. And then I was locked back in and loving the story but I had that niggle just itching the back of my mind.
River was the perfect hero. I loved how take charge he was and how completely devoted to Callie and Nora’s well being and happiness. I couldn’t get enough of him. And reading him loving on Nora made my ovaries stand up and do a happy dance. He is such book boyfriend goals from the first page.
Now here’s where my issue comes in. Callie started out this strong independent woman and I loved how she was working so hard to provide for herself and Nora. I also felt like she handled Zane being such a douche with grace, and I completely understood why she was reluctant to give River the time of day. And when she first accepted River’s help I was like, “good girl”, but then i kind of felt like she wasn’t doing it with her eyes open. She just said “yes save me” but it felt like she was not really interested in River and I felt like she was taking advantage of his generosity a little bit.
Then the big other man drama hit with Zane being his classic douche self and it hit me that she just kept letting him string her along even though she obviously wasn’t a fan of him. I don’t know, I just wanted her to be as obsessed with River as his actions deserved. And I never got that feeling from her. But maybe that is partially because I am a little obsessed with him myself and no one is going to be good enough.
Anyway I really enjoyed most of the story. I just wanted Zane to get everything he deserved. You know maybe an aggressive case of crabs, an acne outbreak, a massive case of ED and a heaping dose of public humiliation to start with. I also wanted him to KNOW what he had lost and how much of a better man River was. I got so excited the moment River’s sister, Willow’s name clicked and I realised it was Willow and Maverick and I became a whole new fan girl. And I am loving the Hugh and Evelyn drama mixed through and can’t wait to see what is going to wash out from that. The next book can’t come soon enough because the teasing for that has me beyond ready.
Falling Stars by Lex Martin is now live!
Falling for the guy who broke my heart years ago wasn’t on my to-do list when I snuck into his condo.
Maverick Walker was my best friend, my safe place—the boy I trusted with my whole heart—until one reckless kiss in high school ruined everything. Now, he’s an NFL football player, and I’m a struggling small-town hair stylist, newly single and expecting a baby. With my ex gone and someone vandalizing my business, my life feels like it’s crumbling beneath me.
When my best friend Paige suggests hiding out in Maverick’s swanky condo to regroup while he’s recovering from an injury in New York, it seems like a lifeline.
Except he comes home. Unexpectedly. When I’m half-dressed.
Now I’m stuck in his orbit again, unprepared for the way he still makes my heart race. Maverick is charming, ridiculously hot, and as off-limits as ever. But I have bigger problems than his smoldering smile—like figuring out who’s targeting me and why they won’t stop.
As the threats escalate, so do Maverick’s protective instincts. But with his life in New York and mine in Texas, our worlds couldn’t be further apart. And yet, with danger closing in, his arms are the only safe haven I have left.
But how do I let him protect me without risking my heart again—when loving him feels as out of reach as a falling star?
Falling Stars is a single mom, forced proximity, friends to lovers romance with second chance vibes. If you enjoy charming cowboys, sassy heroines, or secretive small towns, this book is for you!
My Review
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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 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, and their bunny. Drop her a line. She loves hearing from readers.
Connect with Lex
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This one started out a little shaky and I was really worried I wasn't going to love it. Which would seriously suck because Lex Martin is so talented, and I've adored every book she's written. And although I assumed it was going to end in a happily ever after for Baylee and Maverick, I really wasn't ready to watch him break Baylee’s heart.
Luckily for me while it started off with me cursing various people it was all in ways that I could understand. Plus when Maverick realises what he wants, that man sets out to not just get it but to prove that he owns it. And yet Baylee still knew exactly what she needed and wasn't afraid to put in boundaries and make sure she stood up for herself.
Leo was of course the absolute cutest and I loved that Baylee put him first without compromising herself. Let's be honest, despite Maverick being hot af, Baylee was the star of the story for me. And Maverick complimented her perfectly. The twists and turns had me guessing the whole way through. I couldn't predict anything. Although now that I've said that I did read a lot of this book poolside with a drink or two so …..
And now we impatiently wait for the next book. I can't wait to see the next Walker brother fall and catch up with the rest of the family.
The absolutely adorable epilogue almost made me forget that this is it. We are officially out of Holland brothers to swoon over. Although Flynn was so sweet it almost feels like we saved the best for last. Or maybe it's just that I still have my Flynn coloured glasses on.
His single-minded pursuit of Olivia was book boyfriend goals. And his acceptance of Greer, followed by how quickly he fell as hard for her as he did for Olivia was almost as cute as Greer. I loved that he just went with the flow and let Olivia set the pace without leaving any doubt about his feelings.
And Olivia was equally as awesome. She was such an awesome mum. I loved that despite being a young single mum she had an awesome family and friends support system. And she didn't throw up any unnecessary drama or play hard to get.
Everything about their relationship was so easy to get wrapped up in. There was the perfect amount of drama to keep me dying to see what was up next. But the romance was so swoony and baby holland brought enough heat to make me forget he is baby holland. And as mentioned that epilogue was the perfect wrap up to the series.
Well Natasha
Madison has done it again. I'll just read a few chapters before I go to sleep.
Oh hello 3am. I really should know better, that once I pick up one of these
books there is no way I will willingly put it down until the last page. And
even then it's reluctantly as I obsess over how badly I need the next book that
was just introduced.
And
seriously, this book had everything, including a visit or two from Casey and
M&M. The angst was just the perfect side of keeping me completely hooked
but not making me worry. And the chemistry couldn't have been any hotter.
Because despite Harmony being an awesome character this book for me was all
about Brady.
He had every
reason to want nothing to do with Harmony, but once he laid eyes on her he fell
so hard I think I heard the thud. And he went full protective alpha. But he did
it with such kindness and sensitivity, while also looking like a massive,
cranky jerk.
Then we've
got the adorable Wyatt and I could completely understand how Brady just looked
at him and wanted to claim him right along with his mum.
The only
downside to the whole thing was that Harmony’s ex didn't get hit by a slow
moving very heavy vehicle. But never mind, maybe it will happen in the next
one. 🤞
THE BIG SKATE
Elise Faber
Release Date: December 26
I’ve
sworn off love…until her.
The only problem? She can’t stand me.
Gorgeous, single mom Ivy wants absolutely nothing to do with me.
She thinks I’m a player—and maybe I am.
She thinks I don’t take anything seriously—and maybe I don’t.
She thinks I can never make her happy—but I’ve never been more focused on
anything else. Not ever. Not even on hockey, and I live and breathe the sport.
She doesn’t understand that she’s become my reason for existing—
That if there’s any game in my life I’m willing to do anything to win…
It’s claiming her heart as mine.
Grab Your Copy!
Meet Elise Faber:
USA TODAY bestselling author, Elise Faber,
loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on
the day and how well her team—the Sharks!—are playing). She and her husband
also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so
that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color
more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is
the mom to two exuberant boys. She lives in Northern California.
To find out
about Elise Faber’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her
newsletter here
For more information on Elise
Faber and her books visit: https://www.elisefaber.com/
I read the
blurb for this book, and it was entirely what I was in the mood for. I couldn't
wait to get my grabby hands on it. Then I read the first page and realised it
was part of a series, and I haven't read the first two books 🤦♀️ Ordinarily I would just grab them
and read them first but it's Christmas and my reading time has shrunk to the
bare minimum. So, I pushed through my fomo and I'm glad I did.
This is the
first book I've read from this author; despite having several on my TBR and now
I'm going to have to add the rest of this series. Because honestly the
secondary characters were awesome, and I can't wait to get to know them better.
I love when there's a series around a friend group that I wish were real and I
was apart of.
Knox and Ivy
had off the chart’s chemistry from the first page. And we were given just
enough background on Ivy to understand her reluctance but also to keep us
guessing. Knox was the perfect hockey playing hero. And I loved that he loved Evie
just as much. He was stepdad goals along with being book boyfriend goals.
I really
enjoyed the story and even though I read it in sporadic bursts over several
days it was interesting enough that every time I picked it back up, I could
just jump right in. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series.
I am so
obsessed with Bella Matthews books it's bordering on a problem. The minute I
could I stuck off to read a chapter or two before bed. Cue the book hitting me
in the face around the 50% mark because I can't bring myself to put it down.
Then I'm having to adult all day before I finally get to finish it. And now I'm
miserable because I've finished it and have to wait for the next one.
I really
love the whole marriage of convenience trope, and a single parent is just
icing. Add in the fact this is part of a large sporting family dynamic and I
really couldn't ask for more. There are so many amazing secondary characters
and the very much loved first generation I really am in my happy place every
time I pick one of these books up.
Addie and
Leo were sizzling hot. And although their relationship progressed quickly it
felt really natural and organic. The way Leo instantly took to Izzy and Lennox
and loved them like his own had my ovaries exploding every time he loved on
them. Then we got the whole growly, possessive “my wife” and sign me up for one
please.
The book had
all the spice, sweetness, romance and drama that I want to stay wrapped up in
all things Kroydon Hills. So, I guess I'll just go back to not so patiently
waiting for the next one.
Ilsa
Madden-Mills is an instant one click author for me and is one of those authors
I picked up from her debut novel and then anxiously await each new release. And
although her writing style hasn't changed, her novels are all unique and
different. So I pick up her books not knowing what to expect but knowing I'm
not going to be able to put it down.
I picked
this up not realising that it was part of a series and the characters are known
to us from an earlier book. And despite my goldfish memory I was so excited to
be back in the bookstore and laughing at Jasper. Although I was surprised that
we didn't get more Emmy and Graham.
Jane had so
much going on, both privately and professionally and I found it really easy to
understand her. And on the surface, it was hard to see what Jane and Jasper had
in common. But the more we got to know Jasper I realised that he had almost as
much going on he just kept it hidden.
The story
was easy to get caught up in, even if my kids did their best to keep me
preoccupied. There was so much sweetness with just the right blend of drama.
And the epilogue was super cute. I can't wait to see what Ilsa is going to give
us next.
This book was exactly what I needed. While also
being exactly what I wasn’t expecting when I picked it up. The first book in
the series was set in college and I assumed this one would be too. But once I
picked it up, I didn’t care at all that it wasn’t set in college because I was
so busy falling for these characters and waiting for the drama bombs to start
dropping.
From the first page I was in and needing to know
exactly what had happened to get Vi to that point. Then we jump to the first
chapter and Declan was beyond perfect, and an idiot, at the same time, but in
all the right ways and for all the right reasons and I just couldn’t get enough
of him. Their relationship happened so organically and realistically and just
smoothly but with so many little strings left dangling that I couldn’t put it
down. I had so many theories of how things were going to be revealed and what
was going to be the fallout of each revelation.
We got the perfect amount of the OG characters and
a great introduction to some new characters. But I was so busy obsessing over
Vi and Declan and how perfectly they handled everything involving Tucker. I had
all the feels while reading this, but the main one was just pure swoon over
Declan. I am off to add the next one to my kindle. Toodles
It's funny because for me Natasha Madison is a go
to author for a book that's going to be easy to get lost in and leave me with a
smile. Then I saw a few early reviews for this saying how emotional it was, and
I got nervous. I am not in the head space for a book that's going to leave me
ugly crying in my bed. I have a six year old demon child for that 😉
But once I picked this up, I just wanted to stay
wrapped up in it. Honestly, I figured out half of Koda’s reluctance to have
anything to do with Christopher before I started reading. The other half was
not even slightly what I was expecting, yet it was written so well that I felt
it. And by the end of the first chapter, I was wanting Benji to be hit by a Zamboni.
Watching Koda deal with the fall out of Benji's
death but also having to drop the pretence of Benji's life with the friends who
thought they had known him was emotional. But I think I escaped being too upset
by it because I was so mad at Benji. And it helped that Christopher was too,
especially when he realised that he never really knew his best friend.
Koda and Christopher came together so naturally.
And the way he loved the girls had me all warm and fuzzy. As always, the family
was awesome and hilarious and there for everyone. And Christopher gave such
awesome book boyfriend vibes I loved every minute of reading this book. Even
when I had to wipe away a few tears, I knew smiles were going to follow.
And now we go back to waiting for the next book.
Although from the little tease at the end I think we are in for some fireworks.
