The Sweet Talker by fellow Canadian girl Gina Azzi was a welcome treat.  A sweet contemporary romance that got me hooked. This is book one in the Boston Hawks Hockey series, and I can't wait until the other books come out.  Noah and Indiana have known each other for years but have never really seen each other.  That all changes one night when they have what's supposed to be a one night stand.  Deciding they want to keep seeing each other (let's face it, when the sex is that good, you don't turn away) - they agree to a friends with benefits sort of deal. Since Noah has recently ended a serious relationship, and since Indiana doesn't trust hockey players because she used to date a hockey douche, they agree to stay friends - but only friends - just with benefits. Of course, what they don't count on is feelings getting involved.  

Seeing their romance blossom was so great and I must admit that I may have cried a bit during the angsty parts.  Thankfully the book is told from dual perspective - I love getting to see what both characters are thinking.  I'm so used to it now with contemporary romances that if a book doesn't have the guy's POV I'm missing it. One thing I will say is - and since it is told in the blurb I'm not spoiling anything - Indiana does end up pregnant. I like the surprise baby trope but in this case, I wish it hadn't been revealed in the blurb. It would have been better to find it out later as opposed to expecting it.  In every sexy scene I kept checking if they were using birth control and my focus may not have been where it should have been, if you get my drift.  That being said, I still loved this book and I loved Noah and Indiana.  Easton, Noah's brother's story is next and I can't wait.

Thank you to the author and to CandiKanePR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing writing duo Max Monroe created a book boyfriend god in Kline Brooks when they wrote Tapping the Billionaire a few years back.  His and Georgia's romance is the stuff of legend amongst their fans and we're always asking them for more from this couple.  Finally, we get our wish. In this - the Kline Brooks Collection - Max Monroe has compiled the two stories that feature Kline and Georgia - Tapping the Billionaire and Tapping Her, as well as a brand new novella Be My Billionaire Valentine - which is so exciting! I was craving more Kline and I was so happy to read this short romantic story about him and Georgia.  Max Monroe definitely love their fans and this is great for new and old fans alike - if you've never been introduced to Kline, then you can get all of his stories at once. If you love Kline like I do, you get all of his stories plus a brand new novella to keep you satisfied. And if there is one thing that Kline knows how to do - it's keep a woman satisfied.  I loved this collection and I just know that you will too.  Keep reading for all the details - and I've also given a throw back to my review on Tapping the Billionaire, for those of you who have never been tapped, but are looking to give it a whirl. Thanks to the author and to SocialButterfly PR for the ARC of this collection in exchange for an honest review.
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I think I’ll start off by saying that this was the best MC romance I’ve read in a long time. It was SO good.  And I’ve read my share of MC romances - okay, basically in the past year I’ve been obsessed.  I love them.  And this one really tops the list for me. Riggs, by sister writing duo Sandy Alvarez and Crystal Daniels, is book one in the Kings of Retribution MC Louisiana Chapter.  It can be read as a standalone, but we do meet members from the original Kings of Retribution Montana series - so if you want to know who everyone is, you should read through the first series beforehand.  I happened to read Riggs first, and now I’m so intrigued by everyone that I’m going back to read the OG books.


This book starts you off right in the action and doesn’t let up - it’s a wild ride you’ll enjoy until the very last page.  We meet Riggs, a former military man who still goes on freelance missions when he’s needed.  He is also the president of the Kings’ Louisiana chapter and when Jake, the president of the Montana chapter, calls him needing his help, he doesn’t hesitate.  Jake is protecting Luna, the only witness in a murder investigation.  Her ex is in charge of another MC and he’s bad news.  She saw something she shouldn’t have and now she’s running for her life. He keeps on tracking Luna down and so Jake suggests she leave Montana and go to New Orleans with Riggs.  While at first Riggs is a bit annoyed at having to babysit, that changes as soon as he sees Luna.  She becomes his - in true Alpha male caveman style. He vows to protect her with his life.  Luna and Riggs embark on a dangerous but fulfilling journey to get her life back, but to also build a life together.


This book has action, suspense, and some truly romantic moments.  The couple is likeable and interesting and I can honestly say you won’t want to put this book down. Riggs is the ultimate Alpha hero and Luna is sweet, but she also gains confidence and becomes a bit of a badass throughout the book.  I can’t wait to read the others in the series and get a closer look at the other characters.  If you want to get started with Riggs, you’re in luck because for a limited time, it’s on sale for 99 cents! See purchase links below. Thank you to the authors, and to GiveMeBooksPR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A young girl is stolen from her home by three brothers seeking revenge on her father.  They intend to use her against her father in order to get what they want.  This doesn't sound like the plot of a romance novel - more like a byline in the local newspaper.  Stolen, by Darcy Rose, the first in her Vow of Revenge trilogy, is labeled as a dark romance - and it is definitely that.  It is a reverse harem story with reluctance and some taboo elements thrown in.  Some might see Jessa as a victim, and the brothers who took her as villains - and they are that in the simplest sense.  But the author does delve deeper into their feelings, their confusion, and their conflicted states so that the story really isn't all that simple at all.  

The story has several triggers and readers shouldn't take the warning in the book blurb lightly. If you are easily offended - stay away.  But if you, like me, sometimes like a little taboo and sometimes like a novel to be filled with erotic and steamy scenes (the dirtier the better), then pick up this little black book.  It is short and you'll finish it quickly - I actually couldn't put it down.  I was captivated by Jessa's plight, but also by the brothers - we do see it a bit from their perspectives which was smart of the author.  It humanized them and made the reader unsure of their villainous roles.  I for one can't wait until the second book comes out. I was left intrigued, and more than a little turned on - if I'm being honest.  Sure I could be embarrassed that I liked this trope but in the end, life is too short for that. Embrace your kinks ladies. Make 2021 the year of Why The Hell Not.

Stolen releases today. Thank you to the author and to CandiKane PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
   

Male athletes tend to be fun to read about, especially when they play for professional teams.  They are often treated like gods by fans, and especially by girls.  So when they finally meet their match, ie: their love interest, it makes for a good read.  I was excited to pick up Sarah Stevens' newest book, Breakthrough, precisely for this reason.  Breakthrough is book one in her Nashville Notes series - yes, ladies, there will be other hockey players we get to read about.

In Breakthrough we meet Mandy, a young single mom and sports trainer who is looking to return to Nashville after living in Boston for several years.  Mandy is looking to start fresh.  She is estranged from her daughter's father and she wants to be with her grandmother, who is the only family she has left.  Mandy meets Parker, the sexy (and doesn't he just know it) playboy goalie of the Nashville Notes.  Parker is used to women falling for him with the littlest effort - a butt wiggle here, a sexy smirk there.  When Mandy doesn't seem to be affected by him at all, suddenly she's all he can think about. And isn't that always the way?  But there are a lot of obstacles in their path.  Mandy has had bad luck with men, and in particular, male athletes and she's not looking to start anything with Parker.  He is awfully attractive though. Then, when Mandy's ex starts causing trouble, and an unknown threat starts targeting them,  Mandy and Parker need to decide if they should fight to be together or if their feelings are better left buried.  

This book was a good romance and it was fun to read.  Although I did find it took me a bit to like Parker.  He was just so overconfident and arrogant.  I definitely took to Mandy right away and was really hoping that she would get her happy ending.  I liked the added drama of the person threatening them - I thought it added to the plot and made what could have been a simple romance far more exciting.  If you like sports romances with plenty of drama, I really think you'll like this book, which promises to be a good start to a new series. Thank you to Give Me Books PR and to the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

There’s something so satisfying about two characters that absolutely hate each other, and seeing those feelings change over time.  I will never get tired of the enemies to lovers trope.  Or opposites attract. Or roommates. Throw in the college sports romance element and I am all in.  This book took a lot of familiar themes and added sweetness and heart and fun, which made up for a great read.

In Heart Stopper, by Michelle Hercules, we meet Troy and Charlie. Their first impressions of each other are awful. When they are forced to live together after Charlie’s house suffers a small fire and she has nowhere else to go, they start to realize that maybe there is more to each of them than meets the eye.  Maybe a jock and a nerd can find common ground.  It might take awhile, and there will be pranks and revenge plots along the way, but we can still hope that they will get there in the end.  It was certainly fun to see them bump heads, and the banter was great.

I really liked getting to know these characters.  They each had so much more to them, especially Troy.  I loved learning about him and I fell for him right along with Charlie.  I also enjoyed the side characters in the book, like Charlie’s brother and Troy’s sister.  I look forward to reading more about them in future books.  Heart Stopper seemed like it was going to be a familiar Jock vs Nerd story, but it was a lot deeper and I very much enjoyed it.  It’s out now, so pick up your copy today - and enjoy that sexy cover - I certainly did.
Thank you to the author and to Give Me Books Promotions for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.