Review: The Kingpin’s Call Girl by Annika Martin

July 25, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

THE KINGPIN’S CALL GIRL
Series: Moonlit Ridge #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Annika Martin
Release Date: July 25,2025

I’m not a call girl; I’m a college student—playing dress-up to find my sister.

One night. One assignment.

Get invited to the table. Memorize names. Get out.

Easy—until he walks in.

Luka Zogaj isn’t just powerful.

He’s lethal. Savage. Worshipped and feared like a god.

And when he sees me, he buys me.

Not for a night. For two weeks.

Now I’m living a double life—student by day, owned by a monster by night.

He doesn’t know I’m living a lie.

But every time he touches me, I forget who I am.

He’s the last man I should want.

And the only one who’s ever made me feel like this.

AMAZON

I just paid you for fourteen nights with a few grand extra thrown in. You’re mine, same as that jacket there. If you try to hide, I’ll find you. If you leave town, I’ll find you even faster. For the next two weeks, you are mine and mine alone.”

Oh Annika, you sure do know the way to a girl’s heart.

Now it’s been a minute since I read a book by this author, and I have no idea why. I forgot that Annika was THAT girl when it comes to writing some of the most delicious MMCs. If you didn’t know, just read Dark Mafia Prince and thank me after. But I digress.

The second Annika released the title to this book, I was immediate intrigued. But when I read the blurb, I absolutely had to have it. A dangerous criminal and the innocent college girl he buys thinking she’s a call girl? TAKE. MY. MONEY.

When I tell you that I devoured this book in one sitting, I mean I gobbled it right up.

Edie is desperately searching for her missing sister and manages to get herself into quite the pickle. The pickle being her being forced to pretend to be a call girl to try to gather information on some dangerous people. Get in and get out. Until she catches the eye of the most dangerous man in the room, Luka Zogaj. And oh Luka, the savage that he was.

You hate me, don’t you? I’m an awful man who takes whatever he wants without paying. A beast who hurts the good people of the world just because he can. And now you belong to me, and I’m gonna make you come again, and I’m gonna make you crave me, and there’s not a goddamned thing you can do about it.”

Now did I want to judge Edie for her naiveté at times? Sure! But then I remembered that she’s on her own, desperately searching for her sister, and my judgy braid would just shut off. I loved how she wasn’t afraid of Luka almost as much as I loved the way he got off on her scorn and sass.

Somewhere along the line, somebody messed with your head and left you high and dry. Probably your daddy…
I’m your daddy now,” he says, entering me slowly, stretching me over the sink and working me how he wants

This story had everything; the grit, the suspense, the chemistry and the sizzling romance. The villain was somewhat predictable, but I think it may have meant to be with plenty of hints thrown along the way.

It was one of those books that I devoured in one sitting and was thrilled to see would be a series, because I desperately need more. If you love a sexy and gritty mafia romance, you need this book in your life. Trust me on this now and thank me later, mkay?

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Review: Caught Up by Navessa Allen

July 24, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

CAUGHT UP
Series: Into Darkness #2
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Navessa Allen
Release Date: June 10, 2025

I wanted this woman, and I was a man who always got what he wanted.

Nico ‘Junior’ Trocci knows Lauren Marchetti is off limits. She is sweetness and laughter, whereas Junior exists in a world of violence and depravity. Men like him don’t get to have women like her. It’s why he pushed her away back in high school and has kept his distance ever since.

But when Junior looks Lauren up online, he discovers the shy, bookish girl he remembers is gone. In her place is a strikingly beautiful woman whose social media is filled with scantily clad pictures of herself and a connection to a nearby play club. Junior’s innocent curiosity quickly turns into a dark obsession. But watching Lauren from a distance isn’t enough; he needs to make her his.

He’s ruthless; a walking red flag. Good thing red is my favorite color.

Lauren is intrigued by the mystery man who keeps showing up at her club, who tempts her white-hot desires. But as their flirty online messages stir up a deeper form of connection, Lauren worries she’s developing real feelings for this brooding stranger. As their combined desire ratchets up to a breaking point, who will seduce who? And will they survive the fall?

Caught Up is a fast-paced dark romance with a morally grey male lead. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book.

AMAZON 

The power of Christ compels you,” I muttered, desperate to expel her from my body.
Junior’s lips twitched. “You trying to exorcise me, Lo?”
“I heard that’s what you’re supposed to do when the ghost of an ex shows up.”
He glanced down again, to where I was still arching into him. “Doesn’t look like it’s working.”

Did I like it? Sure. I just didn’t love it.

Lights Out was a top favorite of mine and I tried to manage my expectations for this book. I didn’t want to compare it to the first one and allow it to stand on its own. Which it did. I liked the story. I liked the characters. But it was also missing that special sauce that book one seemed to bring. I can’t quite put my finger on what it was exactly, but it just didn’t pull me in like the first book.

I enjoyed Lauren. I always love a sex positive FMC and I loved her sass and the way she made Junior work to get back into her good graces. I liked Junior too, but it wasn’t the intense obsession I had with Josh. Maybe I’m just a bit over the TikTok reference? We had masktok in book one and bikertok in this one. It’s cute, sure, but also couldn’t help feeling like the story just relied on that schtick too much. It worked for book one, but I suppose this one just felt like it needed more.

The humor was there and so was the steam, but again it just didn’t grab me as much as I’d hoped.

I do love a good second chance romance so the dynamic between Lauren and Junior was fun. I almost wish we got to see them a bit more in the past rather than seeing that unfold off the pages.

If you’re looking for a fun and steamy read, this one will fit the bill. And while I didn’t love it, I did still enjoy it and can’t wait for the next one.

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Review: Chasing Shelter by Catherine Cowles

July 22, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

CHASING SHELTER
Series: Sparrow Falls #5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Catherine Cowles
Release Date: July 22, 2025

I came here seeking sanctuary, I never meant to fall for the broody single dad next door.

I’ve spent my life hiding in plain sight, burying my past beneath layers of carefully constructed lies. Moving to Sparrow Falls was supposed to be a fresh start. A place to lay low. But when I end up living next door to the single dad who just happens to be one of my brother’s best friends, everything changes.

Trace Colson sees too much, asks too many questions, and his protectiveness is as infuriating as it is alluring.

And when danger comes calling, it’s Trace who stands between me and the darkness.

But being close to him is its own kind of risk. Because with every heated glance and every stolen touch, Trace tempts me to open my heart, to dream of a life I’d long since given up on. The only problem? Trace has his own demons, and when they collide with mine, the fallout could destroy us both.

Forever.

AMAZON 

You breaking the rules for me, Chief?”
“I knew you were going to be a bad influence.”

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Catherine Cowles books are my happy place. PERIOD. And her MMCs are the blueprint. Because every time I think I meet my favorite, she goes ahead and introduces the next one and I’m swooning head over heels. And Trace? Oh the swoon was so real.

I lifted a hand to her face, my thumb tracking under her eye, the same one that had been bruised yet hidden beneath coats of makeup. “Who hurt you?”

After the events of Beautiful Exile, I was so excited for Linc’s sister to get her story. Her character growth and journey to finding herself and her strength was one of my favorite things about this book. Right after her sassy mouth and immediate connection with Trace’s adorable daughter, Keely.

Don’t worry, Chief, I won’t tell.”
“It’s Sheriff,” I ground out.

Is it really frenemies to lovers when the attraction is there but the stubborn man just refuses to admit it?

Trace is determined to avoid the much too tempting Ellie. Not only does he not have time for women when he’s busy with his job as sheriff and raising his daughter, but she’s also Linc’s sister. But then as fate would have it, Ellie becomes his neighbor and bis impossible to resist.

Can I tell you something?” I asked.
“Anything.”
“I like when you say fuck.”
A low chuckle sounded over the speaker. “Fuck, baby.”

Ellie is determined to find herself outside of her despicable father’s influence and her abusive ex fiancé’s hold. She wants to make a life for herself around what she wants, not what she’s told. But while the small town is a perfect place to start, not every person is welcoming her into the fold. Her father’s legacy is not a pretty one. And when danger starts to nip at her heels, Trace is determined to protect her. And oh Trace, the man you are.

You deserve to be in your power.” His mouth trailed lower, featherlight touches until he reached my lips. And there he stayed, speaking against them. “You deserve someone on their knees for you, not someone forcing you to yours.”

The romance was a delicious slow burn that I loved oh so much. Although there was a point where I thought that if they were going to be interrupted one more time, I may riot. But the burn was so worth it because when they do finally get together, it was deliciously satisfying.

As always, the suspense was a gripping layer that built on top of the romance and made this one unputdownable read. The ending did catch me a bit by surprise and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it for a minute there. But then I love when something manages to surprise me, so can’t complain there.

And did I mention Loli? Because this hilarious grandma is one of my all time favorite secondary characters, EVER.

Hey, what’s wrong with my place?” Cope pouted.
Sutton patted his chest. “You built that monster mansion in the middle of nowhere, Hotshot. It would take twenty officers to surround it.”
“I hope that doesn’t mean you’re insecure because you’re lacking in other departments,” Lolli said, arching a brow.
Cope’s jaw went slack and then his face screwed up like he was a little sick to his stomach. “Did my grandma just insult my dick size?”

I gobbled it up and can’t wait for more. If you haven’t read this series yet, you’re seriously missing out!

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Review: Red Ruin by Lola Rock

July 22, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

RED RUIN
Series: Savage Sentinels #1
Genre: Guideverse Romance
Author: Lola Rock
Release Date: July 22, 2025

Instead of sticking around to watch my suddenly EX fiancé adore the Guide he replaced me with, I do the totally sane, normal thing and run away to war.

The Sentinels battling monster hordes desperately need my power. I just want to find a place to belong as something other than a tool.

When I report for duty, ready to fight on my own terms, I find my new squad in shambles.

Its strongest warriors are so poisoned by their own magic, they’re not just insane—they’re barely hanging on to their humanity.

If I can’t tame the rampaging vampire and the one-horned devil, I won’t have to wait for my enemies to ruin me.

Vhex and Remy will grin with their fangs as they ruin what’s left of my soul.

♥ Medium
♥ High (spicy MFM scenes, no sword-crossing)
♥ NOT an omegaverse
♥ frequent cursing, monster combat, magic system entrenched with sexual healing & possessive-but-useless MLs who hate each other (forever). Check the author’s site for the full list of tags, tropes, and warnings

AMAZON

What’s your name, Sentinel?”
“I’m Vhex.” He shoots me a sharp, sweet smile- all razor blades in cotton candy. “You call me husband.”

Having loved Lola’s Omegaverse series, I was super excited for something new and different. I’ve never read Guideverse so I had no idea what to expect when I started this one. And frankly, I’m still not sure how to describe it. It was a fun and sexy romp but it also took me a minute to wrap my head around all the things.

Iris is a “guide” who is essentially like a healer. She gets assigned Sentinels, who are essentially warriors who lose their humanity when they fight and only a guide can heal them. Iris is unique in being an 80% match to all Sentinels, which also makes it difficult to find her imprint match. And after she gets rejected by her fiancé, she’s given up hope on imprinting altogether. She asks for a reassignment to escape her constant reminders of her ex, and lands in a middle of a war zone with her new squad. There she meets two completely feral Sentinels; the devilish Vhex, and the vampire Remy. Both are out of their mind feral and unhinged in every sense of the word. Obviously I loved them. Though I have to say that Vhex was extra special to me with his sweet and mushy ways of calling himself husband. Remy is out of his mind even more, to the point of memory loss and when he’s on a rampage would even forget Iris’s name.

Now I have to say if you like the insta lust vibes, you’d love this book. I don’t tend to favor that, so the instant connection and jump into spice wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t hate it, but I felt like the spice took over the world building and story. Like the first 60% of the book felt entirely focused on the spice. Whereas I wanted to better understand the world and magic system and get to know the characters more. I felt like I started to lose that a bit. It’s interesting since a lot of the healing is sexual, so it also felt cold and mechanical in parts. I’m not sure how to describe it really. It was very hot, yes. But because the characters haven’t developed their bond yet and the instant connection/chemistry, it felt more like duty than anything else.

The story itself took a bit for me to finish and felt a touch too long. But the second I hit the 70% mark, it really took off and I began to enjoy it a whole lot more.

While it took me a bit to get into, I was fully invested at the end and will definitely be continuing this story. If you like monster smut, guideverse, feral and unhinged MMCs, MFM action, and all the spice, then you definitely want to check this one out.

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Review: Warrior by S. Massery

July 17, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

WARRIOR
Series: Sterling Falls Rogues #2
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: S. Massery 
Release Date: July 17, 2025

Everything that could go wrong—did.

Kade’s loyalties are tangled in something far more treacherous than any of us realized.

Reese seems desperate to make amends, and I hate to say, he’s growing on me.

And Artemis….

Well, she won’t wake up. According to Gabriel, she might not ever.

There has to be a cure—but only if I keep a level head. Grief and anger crash inside me, and if I lose my cool, I might lose her, too.

—
Nemesis must be read prior to Warrior for continuity.

AMAZON 

You’re the sweetest torture,”

Holy hell, the way I devoured this book. The plot twists, the revelations, the jaw dropping details! My head was spinning at the end, only tone hit in the head with that two by four to the head of a cliffy. MY. GOD.

The mystery of who Reese is, is finally revealed and wow wow wow was I not prepared for THAT. Of all the things I had thought, it definitely wasn’t THAT. And now Artemis’s reaction towards him in book one makes so much more sense.

While we spent most of Nemesis In Artemis’s head, we get a whole lot more of the men in this one. Particularly Saint and Reese. And the story development for Saint is truly EPIC. I won’t spoil it for you, but just trust me.

For those who love their why choose with some MM, prepare yourself for the most tension filled MM relationship development. I was salivating for more scenes with these two. SALIVATING.

Good boy.”
Fucking hell.
He smirks. “Like that?”
“No.”
“Liar,” he whispers.

GAH! I get giddy just thinking about them.

There is so many revelations in this book with just as many questions left by them. For a reader who can usually see the plot twists coming, the ones here managed to catch me completely by surprise. I was left reeling and grasping for more clues.

And that ending? PHYSICALLY PAINFUL. I’m not sure I’ll be able to survive the wait for the next book but man, I have ZERO regrets. This was deliciously dark, twisty, action packed, and exactly what I needed

S. Massery:

S. Massery is a dark romance author who loves injecting a good dose of suspense into her stories. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs–including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

Author Links:

Website: http://smassery.com

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Facebook: http://facebook.com/authorsmassery

Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad

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Review: Eclipsed Empire by Tessa Hale

July 16, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

ECLIPSED EMPIRE
Series: The Wolves of Crescent Creek #2
Author: Tessa Hale
Genre: Why Choose Romance, PNR
Release Date: July 16, 2025

One secret tore my life apart. It sent me running from the place I thought I would be safe, right into the path of untold enemies.


But when my life is in danger, the wolves I thought I’d lost for good are the ones who come for me. And they’ll burn down the world to keep me safe—even if none of us trusts each other anymore.


With every moment we’re forced together, every whispered apology and stolen touch, my resolve to keep them at a distance weakens. And when I realize just how much each of these men has come to mean to me, that resolve crumbles to dust.


Only there are more secrets to uncover—all our pasts lurking in the shadows. And when the monsters emerge from the darkness, there’s no escaping them this time…

**Book Two in the Wolves of Crescent Creek Series. If you haven’t met the wolves yet, their story begins in Crescent Kingdom.**

AMAZON

My little warrior would live to fight again. She would regain her strength. And I would vanquish every threat to her well-being from this Earth.

How was this cliffhanger even more painful than the first book? I am not OK. NOT. OK. What do I even do with myself until Sept? This is sadistic, Tessa Hale. Why am I slightly turned on here? Let’s switch topics, kay?

I have been chomping at the bit ever since that killer cliffhanger in book one. If you haven’t read book one, don’t be reading my review because it will have some mild spoilers of book one though I will try to give away as little as possible.

This book starts off immediately where the first one ended; Wren back in the pits of hell but at someone else’s hands and her mates desperately trying to find her. Not going to lie, there were so many moments that I wanted to punch Ender in the throat, I lost count. I get that he’s tortured, but his toxic skepticism toward Wren was starting to wear on me. Luckily he got the wake up call that he needed and I will say his atonement was deliciously violent and satisfyingly torturous. While I wish Wren wasn’t as understanding to him and made him work for more with her, I also understand why she didn’t. I just happen to be a bit more spiteful than our girl I guess.

I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I will spend the rest of my life making sure you’re safe.”

I swear, I fell even harder for the guys in this book. Seeing their fierce protectiveness of Wren come out along with those who questioned her in the end of the first book go through hell of beating themselves up over it was delicious. I loved her further bond with Brix, along with Puck and Locke. Kingston has some work to do and that’s not even touching our tortured man, Ender. I just know book three is bound to be epic.

I devoured this installment just as quickly as book 1 and eagerly anticipating the final book in this fantastic trilogy!

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Review: At the Edge of Surrender by A.L. Jackson

July 15, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

AT THE EDGE OF SURRENDER
Series: Moonlit Ridge #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: June 16, ,2025

A surprise single dad, small town romantic suspense…

I’m the last guy on the planet who should be a dad. My life is chaos. My sins written dark and deep.
So, imagine my surprise when my doorbell rings and I open it to find the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen standing on the other side.
And she’s holding the hand of a little girl who looks just like me.

Emery tells me her sister, the child’s mother, is dead.
I feel like dirt since she’s a woman I can hardly remember, and it’s no wonder Emery doesn’t trust that I’m worthy of caring for her niece.
But I can’t turn my back, and I insist on raising Maci.
So, we strike a deal—she’ll stay with me for one month to ensure the little girl is safe.

Emery tries to hate me for who I am, but neither of us can resist the attraction that blazes between us.
One brush of her hand, and she has me on my knees.
One kiss, and I’m falling fast.
Soon, we find ourselves tangled in my sheets.

But when it’s discovered her sister’s death wasn’t accidental, the secret life I’ve been living collides with the past Emery has tried to keep hidden.
And when the fiends come back to finish the job they started, I’m in a race against time to save the two people who I’ve come to love most…

AMAZON

You shouldn’t look at me that way, Emery.”
“What way am I looking at you?”
“Like you want to surrender.”

Swoon. When I tell you that AL Jackson can write one hell of an MMC, this is what I mean. Kane Asher is the epitome of a tortured character. I loved him so much.

Now do I love a surprise pregnancy trope? No. Do I like it even less when it’s not the FMC’s baby? Yes. But if anyone can make me love it, it’s this author. And I was honestly blown away at just how well it worked in this story. Kane is a lone wolf and doesn’t spend more than a night with a woman. So imagine his surprise when he learns he has a daughter he knew nothing about and the woman to deliver the news is the sister of the mother who tragically passed away.

Now Emory took me a minute to warm up to. She was so hard on Kane and judged him so much that it was frustrating at parts. I understand her rationale but it was just too much of it also.

The story itself was gripping and Jackson writes a suspense like no other. It had twists and turns, it had chemistry galore, and it was another fantastic installment in one of my favorite series. 

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, FALLING STARS, and REDEMPTION HILLS novels. Get her latest enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, NEVER LOOK BACK, available now!

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter https://geni.us/ALJacksonBookClubB  or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

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Review: A Royal Mile by Samantha Young

June 19, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

A ROYAL MILE
Series: Return to Dublin Street #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Samantha Young 
Release Date: June 19, 2025

A steamy enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romance from New York Times Bestselling Author Samantha Young.

It’s hard to stay in the friend zone when the attraction is this hot…

Going into my senior year of university at war with a member of the British royal family wasn’t in my carefully laid plans. Sebastian Thorne might be the grandson of a princess, but it’ll take more than a royal pardon to get me to forgive him for pretending to be someone he’s not.
 
But Sebastian is determined to be my friend. Even if it means signing up to a psych experiment just to get me to talk to him. Who knew a sincere apology and him saying my name in that posh English accent would make me weak in the knees?
 
This year was supposed to be about my dissertation and graduate school. Only, Sebastian has thrown my ordered world off kilter. He makes me bolder, more confident. A braver version of me.
 
Yet every lingering glance and stolen touch has me realizing one thing…
 
I’m falling for my best friend.
 
There’s just one problem. Sebastian has demons, ones that make him determined to keep me in the friend zone no matter the cost.
 
And even when temptation sends his walls tumbling down, the beauty we’ve found might not survive against the will of powerful outside forces…

AMAZON

Are you incapable of concentrating?” “I am very capable of concentrating.” He opened the note’s app on his tablet. “I’m going to prove it by staring at your mouth for this entire session as you talk.”

It’s official, I am completely and utterly obsessed with this series. Sam’s Dublin Street series is one of my all time favorites so of course I’m going to be just as obsessed with the second generation spinoff. A Royal Mile features Lily Sawyer, the daughter of Nate and Olivia from Before Jamaica Lane, which is my favorite book from the series. So to say that I was super excited for Lily’s book is a mild understatement.

If you’ve read On Loverose Lane, then you already got a peek into Lily. She’s the painfully shy and introverted to her younger sister’s boisterous personality. But as shy as she is, she’s no pushover, and I loved that about her. We start the book partially into Lily and Sebastian’s story. We know that Sebastian deceived her and she’s not giving him the time of day to apologize. But we don’t yet know why. That gets revealed as the story goes on and I loved the way those flashbacks were interwoven into the story. I also loved the nods and parallels to her parents’ story and I swear you would appreciate it so much having read their book as well. Trust me. But I digress.

Sebastian is determined to get Lily’s forgiveness and once he finally breaks down her defenses, they begin an amazing friendship. But no matter how amazing they are as friends, Lily can’t swallow her feelings for him. Feelings that she believes are not reciprocated.

I’d met my unicorn. The guy who made me feel so comfortable I could talk to him about anything. And yet whom I was so attracted to, I felt like every fiber of my being came alive in a way it never had until him. A bloody unicorn. Yet he didn’t feel the same way. Of course not.

I loved the way Sebastian was with Lily, even when I wanted to shake him for his hard headedness when it came to anything between them. Though, the more the layers get peeled back from him, the more you understand his fierce avoidance of anything beyond a friendship. I also loved Lily’s quiet and unassuming strength. She isn’t shy about putting Sebastian in his place and I loved the way she understood him and his behavior more than he understood himself.

They definitely had their moments when I wanted to shake them both to see reason, but I did love the way they find their way to each other. It was a delicious slow burn full of emotion and angst and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also loved the way that Lily stood up for herself with her sister, because she had moments where I wanted to shake her too. Though I cannot wait to see the man that is January’s perfect match.

If you’re looking for a swoon, steamy, and highly emotional friends to lovers romance, this one will check every box. The series is now a favorite and I cannot wait for more!

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.

She resides in Scotland.

 

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Review: Tenderfoot by Kristen Ashley

June 17, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

TENDERFOOT
Series: Avenging Angels #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date: June 17, 2025

Harlow O’Neill is waiting for Javier Montoya to make his move. She has it bad for the gorgeous new investigator at Nightingale Investigations and Security. She’s sure he knows it. She’s also sure he’s just as into her.

And she’s read the Rock Chick books. She knows how those Hottie Squad men are supposed to win their women.

Javi is just not trying to win her.

Then one evening Harlow is undercover on a mission for the Avenging Angels, and Javi blows her cover. She’s not happy about it. They share words and some of the ones Javi uses aren’t all that great.

Harlow retreats. Javi goes on the advance.

And the man Harlow was investigating winds up dead.

The Angels go all in to discover what’s happening with a dating app scam that ended up with a dead guy. The Nightingale men aren’t fans of the women wading in on such a dangerous case, and they’re doing something about it.

It’s a race between the Angels and the Hottie Squad as to who’s going to solve the mystery.

While all of that happens, Javi’s not taking any chances with Harlow’s safety. He moves her into his place and Harlow learns firsthand what it means to be in the romantic crosshairs of a member of the Hottie Squad…and the heartbreaking reasons why Javi kept her at arm’s length.

AMAZON

His gaze grew intent on me, so much so, I felt like I’d suddenly been engulfed in an inferno. “I want you so fucking much,” he growled.


Oh the way this book hit the spot for me. Heck, it hit spots I didn’t even know I had. I binge read it in a giddy fever and swear to you, if I was in a position to kick my feet as I did it, I would have.

Now Rock Chick Regret is one of my all time favorite Rock Chick books. If you haven’t met Hector OMG Chavez, you haven’t lived. And dare I say I now have a favorite from the Rock Chick spin off with Javier “Javi” Montoya. This man was everything. All the ovary tingling things. ALL OF THEM.

This isn’t a date. I’m getting mine.” Register guy started ringing me up.
“Mine’s with hers,” Javi repeated. “And I’m paying.”
Register guy looked to Javi. Javi pushed me out of his way, pulling out his wallet. “I can get my own dinner,” I told him.
He looked down at me. “I know you can. That doesn’t mean you are.”
“Okay then, I don’t want you to buy my dinner,” I returned.
Javi switched his attention to register guy. “She’s full of it because we’re fighting. This is a date and I’m buying her dinner.”

Do you SEE what I mean? THE SWOON.

Now if you’ve read this series then you’re already in love with this girl gang and I don’t have to convince you of their awesome. And if you haven’t, then you need to get on this immediately.

Harlow was impossible not to love with her sweet and caring nature and penchant for self soothing with Taylor Swift. She’s been lusting after Javier for as long as she’s known him, but he never gave signs that he wants to go there. And then he epically puts his foot in his mouth with his assumption of Harlow being the quintessential rich girl who is essentially slumming it with her friends. And while Harlow definitely comes from money, she still yearns for the one thing she never had; love and acceptance. I loved all of her vulnerable layers. But what I loved the most was the way that Javi immediately realized his mistake and pursues her relentlessly. And you don’t know woo until you read a KA alpha woo his woman. SWOON.

Now I gotta work to fix it, and I’m gonna do that, mi pequeña Lolita. I promise.”

Of course it wouldn’t be this series without the fun suspense subplot that runs parallel to the romance and I loved the way that both of those things seamlessly wove into the other.

This is the kind of romance book that made me fall in love with KA’s writing to begin with and it was pure nostalgia. I loved these two together so much. The story was emotional and the characters multilayered. My heart absolutely broke for Javi and everything he survived to be the man that he is. And I hope we continue some more development with that in the future books. I don’t want to spoil it and say with what, but you’ll see what I mean when you read it.

The romance was sheer perfection. No extra drama, no third act breakup. Just a man who gives his all for a woman who deserves it all. And mad oh man did I gobble it up. 

For more information on Kristen Ashley, visit: https://www.kristenashley.net/

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Review: Nemesis by S. Massery

June 5, 2025 by · Leave a Comment

NEMESIS
Series: Sterling Falls Rogues #1
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: S. Massery 
Release Date: June 5, 2025

A new darkness is seeping into Sterling Falls, and I’ve drawn its ire.

When a masked stranger declares he wants our ruin—mine, my brother’s, the whole town’s—I hope he’s bluffing.

A series of escalating events later, and it’s clear the threat is very present.
It’s not only present, but it drags up old nightmares from my past.

To keep my beloved city safe, I need to find this masked man and eliminate the threat.

I can’t do it on my own, but the three men poised to help are the ones I am almost certain I can’t trust.

Kade Laurent, the elusive and thrilling newcomer, leverages Olympus to get close to me.

Reese Avery, a ghost from my past, brings with him the trauma I’ve tried to bury. But he says he’s here to make amends…

Saint Hart, the partner of my dead best friend, and I will never get along. Especially since I’ve been tasked with keeping him alive. At least, I was convinced we were going to be mortal enemies forever—until we hate-screw in my kitchen…

Now things are all messed up, and I don’t know who I can rely on.

All I want is peace, but with danger climbing around me, it seems I’m destined for the opposite.

AMAZON 

You drive me insane. You’re…a glowing beacon in the dark, and I just want to smother you.”

Sometimes you finish a book, and other times the book finishes you. And this was most definitely the latter for me. I don’t know what I want to do first; beg and plead with the author for the next book, yell and rage over that ending, or send her my therapy bill. I’ll go with all of the above for a $100, Alex. Because OH MY GOD.

As a predominantly dark romance reader, truly good dark romance comes harder and harder to come by for me. One, because I’m a picky and moody sh*t. But also, because I find a lot of it to be full of gratuitous violence and shock value. But this book? This is what truly good, incredibly well written dark romance is about. That pit in your stomach feeling of dread and anxiety over turning the page because you have no idea what awaits you. The twists, the turns, all of it had me in such a choke hold that I couldn’t bring myself to put this book down for even a second.

I did myself a disservice by not reading the Sterling Falls series first, which this is a spinoff. Which I will be rectifying immediately. However, as this is also a brand new series, I had no issues keeping up.

The story is dark and I mean DARK, so definitely heed the trigger warnings because the story doesn’t mess around. Artemis’s story is full of trauma and true dark underbelly of humanity. She’s a survivor through and through and it was impossible not to fall in love with her take charge attitude. As the twin sister of the MMC in the Sterling Falls series, you’ll see the connection when you read it but I won’t spoil it for you.

This book is told mostly in Artemis’s POV with a few snippets into Saint, Reese and Kade. I love the way that the romantic element is paced to introduce each MMC in this story and what an introduction it was. Saint; her brother’s friend who lost the love of his life and still reeling from the loss, Preston; the blast from the past of the hell that Artemis survived, and Kade; the mysterious newcomer.

The romance is a s low build and I loved the way it developed. We only get a taste for it here and the hate/lust between Saint and Artemis was deliciously tantalizing. Reese is very much a mystery and Kade is a dark enigma that I couldn’t get enough of.

This was the edge of your seat kind of story that keeps you on bated breath and a razor’s edge without letting up. And just when you think you have some answers, you get hit in the head by a two by four that was the cliffhanger and are left absolutely reeling.

When I tell you that I am absolutely RABID for the next book, I am not even slightly exaggerating. I need answers desperately and will be rocking myself in a dark corner until the next release.

S. Massery:

S. Massery is a dark romance author who loves injecting a good dose of suspense into her stories. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her dog, Alice.

Before adventuring into the world of writing, she went to college in Boston and held a wide variety of jobs–including working on a dude ranch in Wyoming (a personal highlight). She has a love affair with coffee and chocolate. When S. Massery isn’t writing, she can be found devouring books, playing outside with her dog, or trying to make people smile.

Author Links:

Website: http://smassery.com

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Facebook Group: http://facebook.com/groups/smasserysquad

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Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authorsmassery

 

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