Review: SALT by L.A. Ferro

SALT
Author: L.A. Ferro
Series: Summer Nights #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Age Gap
Release Date: July 25, 2024

At eight, he gave me roses. At fifteen, he gave me butterflies, and at seventeen, he gave me sanctuary.

I wasn’t a damsel in distress. He wasn’t Prince Charming waiting to whisk me off my feet. We didn’t meet by chance. He’s been part of my life for years, and for most of that time, I’ve been under his spell.

Everett Callahan isn’t just the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on: stoic, tall, dark, and handsome, the stuff fantasies are made of. He’s more than that. Beyond his looks, he’s loyal to the core and wears virtues like duty, honor, and respect as armor. He’s the kind of guy you’d be proud to bring home to meet your dad.

If he wasn’t also your dad’s best friend.

I wasn’t just charmed. I was completely and utterly smitten, and he wasn’t interested.

That’s why I put aside childish things, like my crush on an off-limits man who could never be mine.

Until he fell into my tent on my twenty-first birthday, and I saw a man instead of the untouchable God, I’d made him out to be.

Men are flawed, even Everett Callahan, and now that I know he’s not immune to weakness, I plan to be a hellion ready to exploit it.

Publishers Note: This is a forbidden, slow-burn, age-gap romance with a happy ever after.
Author’s Note: This book is meant for readers 18 years and older.

AMAZON

You are the most beautiful gift I never saw coming..

I love an angsty age gap romance when it’s done right, and it definitely has to be done right when the age gap is 20 years. This one was definitely done right because I was instantly sucked in.

How do you just walk away from something that you want with your whole heart?.

Cameron Salt has been crushing on her father’s best friend for as long as she was old enough to recognize the feeling. Now twenty one, she’s living with Everett after the tragic death of both of her parents. Everett is forty six, divorced and fighting his attraction to Cameron with everything he has. Not only is she too young for him, but his best friend trusted her in his care so suffice it to say the guilt of their connection is eating him alive. Especially when Cameron takes every opportunity to push his buttons and push him to the limit.

I’m not the girl he took in five years ago. I’m a woman who knows exactly what she wants. HIM..

I have to say I loved Cameron. She’s a free spirit and mature beyond her years. I loved the way she pursued Everett but also didn’t take his sh*t when the uber grump came out. She pushed him until she wore him down and when he finally gives in, FIREWORKS.

I catch my breath and open my eyes to my new reality: obsession. My obsession is dangerous. My obsession is her..

It did take me a bit to get into the book because it felt like I was starting halfway into a series. There’s so many subplots and secondary characters that felt like I should have already known their stories of that it got very confusing. I should have definitely read Fade Into You (Everett’s son’s book) first because I feel like many of these subplots may have been introduced in that book. Don’t get me wrong, it was intriguing, but there was so much going on with so many people, that it took me a minute to wrap my head around all of it. I did ultimately figure it out at the end, but all of the details made it a bit of a slower read for me at times.

The romance was absolutely sizzling and I loved the angst, chemistry, and slow burn romance these two had.

My head drops to the crook of her neck as I fade in and out and let go. She’s it. This is it for me. It’s her, or it’s no one. I kiss her neck and pray. If it can’t be this life, let it be the next..

There is a heavy suspense element that added a little oomph to the romance with plenty of twists and turns that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you love slow burn, angsty age gaps, definitely give this one a read.

Review: Meant For Her by Natasha Madison

MEANT FOR HER
Author: Natasha Madison
Series: Meant For #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 26, 2024

From Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Bestselling Author Natasha Madison comes new A billionaire, marriage pact, opposites attract romance.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Unless you end up married!
From The This is Series and the Southern Wedding series comes Meant For Love

Zoey
When I first met him, I got butterflies in my stomach.
I thought it was silly and pushed it aside. Avoided him.
Besides, I was taken—unavailable. Or so I thought.
That was before he hired me to take over his company’s PR.
Now that we were working with each other, that meant he was completely off-limits.
Until one night in Vegas.

Nash
They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Unless you ask the woman of your dreams to marry you while you are both drinking tequila.
And she says yes.
She thinks it’s a mistake.
She’s wrong.
Now I have ninety days to show her we’re meant for love.

AMAZON

Give me ninety days for you to fall in love with me. For us to fall in love with each other.”

Now sweet romance with cinnamon rolls isn’t usually my cuppa but boy did it hit the spot for me with this book. It was one of those light hearted, feel good sort of romances that are easy on the drama and heavy on the swoon. This was my first Natasha Madison book and it certainly won’t be my last.

Now if you like the accidentally on purpose marriage trope, this one is sure to hit the spot.

Can we focus on one conversation at a time?” I tell him, trying not to get sucked into his charm.
“Yes,” he says, “we aren’t getting divorced because we are going to be dating.”
“Again,” I huff, “that makes no fucking sense.”
“It makes all the sense in the world, baby.” He bends to kiss my lips. “Besides, who dates their ex-wife?” He shakes his head. “Now that’s just weird.”

Nash has been obsessed with Zoey from the first time he laid eyes on her. But she’s taken great care to avoid him at every turn and had a boyfriend. So when Nash has a need for PR, there’s no one else he wants for the job, and he makes a call with an offer.

Zoey has just broken things off with her boyfriend only to get a call with a tempting job offer from a man who has tempted her from day one. So what’s a girl to do? Fly out to meet the man and let him try to convince her to take the job. But one night in Vegas suddenly has her waking up married. And her new ‘accidental’ husband refuses to take their Vegas marriage as anything other than dead serious.

I love a man obsessed and Nash was all those things and more. I love the way he pursues and fights for Zoey, even as she fights their connection. This book had a little bit of everything; humor, swoon, steam, and plenty of “my wife” vibes.

Review: The Pucking Coach’s Daughter by S. Massery

THE PUCKING COACH’S DAUGHTER
Author: S Massery
Genre: Dark Romance, Reverse Harem
Release Date: July 23, 2024

From bestselling author S. Massery comes a brand new dark hockey reverse harem standalone.

Trust no one.

I learn that the hard way after hockey star Carter Masters stabs me in the back and turns our rival school against me.

Suddenly, I’m Public Enemy Number One at Framingham State.

Just a year later, that’s exactly where I’m forced to enroll.

No one has forgotten what I did.

The anti-Sydney campaign is led by two gorgeous, psycho hockey players. Oliver Ruiz, captain. And Penn Walker, the devastating goalie.

They have me in their sights the moment I step foot on their campus. Where they lead, the rest of the students follow. They won’t stop until I’m gone and Carter’s team faces payback.

My only solace from the constant bullying comes from a blocked number that keeps texting me.

But as much as Oliver and Penn want to, they can’t drive me off completely. Because even at the worst moments, I know I’m not going anywhere.

After all, I’m their coach’s daughter.

AMAZON

Penn is an inferno. He stokes a fire inside me, and his kiss consumes me like flames do. Carter walks the razor’s edge between pain and comfort. Sweet and controlling. Oliver is hungry. He kisses me like I’m the first drops of rain after a drought.

Oh but the trigger warnings didn’t lie. The second that S Massery announced this book, I was practically vibrating with excitement. If there’s one thing I would love more than her dark hockey romance is a RH dark hockey romance…with three absolutely deranged men that I couldn’t get enough of.

He uses the hand in my shirt to direct me backward, until my spine touches the wall. “You’re in my head, and I’d really rather you not be.”

When Sydney breaks into a home to recover something, she doesn’t expect to come across something else. And she certainly doesn’t expect to use what she finds, until said owner of the house tracks her down and pisses her off. And then she basically turns her life upside down because of spite. Not that I blame her, but the odds were definitely stacked against my girl. So she finds herself suddenly transferring to a rival school, where everyone hates her, and her estranged father coaches the hockey team, who hate her the most. And as for the men?

We have Sydney’s ex, Connor, from her previous school who is absolutely obsessed with her and even rents an apartment in secret across from her new one so he can keep his eye on her.

You’re not getting rid of me, Syd. Tell that to your FSU fuckboys. You and me? End-fucking-game.”

Then there’s the stalker/hockey goalie, Penn, with stalking tendencies and a somnophilia kink.

You tattooed your dick?” He lets out a groan. “Makes it taste better. Promise.”

And then there’s Oliver, who hates her but secretly wants her.

She’s dangerous and seductive and most definitely off-fucking-limits.

Now Oliver was definitely the bully of the group. The man definitely pulls no punches and when he takes it too far, he really takes it too far. But watching the man pay for his mistakes and earn Sydney’s forgiveness was definitely worth the pain.

The story itself was addictive with plenty of sizzle. There’s a slow burn, there’s kicky f*ckery, there’s enemies to lovers and hate f-king, and there’s plenty of banter. Suffice it to say I absolutely devoured this book and left no crumbs.

You’re fucking insane, princess. I think I might love it.”

Now Oliver is a guy you will either love or hate. Me for one, I love me the broken bad boys, so obviously I loved him. Penn was deliciously kinky. And Connor hides a dark side that hit every spot when it unleashed. I absolutely loved the 4 of them together and I loved their dynamic, even if it was toxic at times. You know I love the toxicity in my books.

If you’re looking for a spicy dark hockey romance with 3 deranged MMCs and an FMC that gives as good as she gets, look no further.

Review: The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

THE AU PAIR AFFAIR
Series: Big Shots #2
Author: Tessa Bailey
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 16, 2024

A sports rom-com about a burly, surly, single dad who falls head-over-hockey-stick for his quirky live-in nanny…

Tallulah is smart, vivacious, and studying to be a marine biologist. She’s also twenty-six and broke. So when Burgess, a battle-scarred hockey veteran and newly single dad, offers her a job as his live-in nanny, she jumps at the opportunity to get paid while living in a super fancy neighborhood and being around Lissa, his cool but introverted tween.

Her tween charge isn’t the only one who could use some help fitting in, though. According to…well, everyone except Burgess, he needs to get back on the dating scene, and adventurous Tallulah is just the girl to show him how. But as boundaries are slowly crossed and Burgess finds himself pulled between his daughter, who wants her parents back together, and his insane chemistry with Tallulah, a huge rift is formed, and Tallulah does the “right” thing—breaks her own heart and walks away.

Though Burgess knows it’s for the best—he’s too jaded, with too much baggage—a chance meeting, and a new push from his daughter, forces him to put everything on the line and fight to prove he learned his lessons well and is worthy of a happily ever after with Tallulah. 

AMAZON

One measly lunch had led to months of staring off into space trying to remember the exact shade of her eyes.

An MC who is singular and wholly obsessed with the FMC? yes, please and thank yew! Sign me up immediately.

Why should you read this book? Let me tell you
Burgess, who is:
– A single dad who is trying to navigate raising a preteen
– a Pro hockey player
– A big ole’ marshmallow who is wholly obsessed with Tallulah after one meeting
– A dirty beast in the sack with a dirty mouth to beat
– Still maintains cinnamon role status throughout

The inked skin/thick butt/muscle trifecta was really bringing home the fact that she was not simply working for a single father. She was working for a snack. A DILF. A big boy. The most eligible of bachelors. How was this man—this hot


Oh and I did I mention the pining? And the age gap? And OMG the pining!

The weekend starts tomorrow,” he said, his focus very intent on her mouth. “What do we have planned?”
“Me and my bodyguard?” she murmured.
“That’s me.” He looked her up and down. “I’ll guard it well.”
“Better than you guard your goalie?” she managed choppily.
“Yes. And that’s saying something, considering I’m a beast on defense.” He dragged his bottom lip through his teeth, a low sound leaving him. “I’m a beast everywhere, Tallulah.”

Oh and let’s add heartwarming, laugh out loud funny, and deliciously sexy to the mix too, mkay?

But also, the pining! THE PINING, people!

When you’re ready to call me your man, I’m going to spit on this hot little c*nt and call it mine before I f*ck it. Go ahead. Lie and tell me you don’t want that.”

No one likes a liar, Tallulah. But I digress once more.

Tallulah gets the job of a lifetime as an au pair for a pro hockey player. A big, giant hockey player who intimidates her with all his bigness. Still reeling from a traumatic event in her past makes her skittish but she’s determined to work through it. The instant chemistry and undeniable attraction to the man certainly doesn’t help things. She wants to experience life and Burgess wants nothing less than a commitment and determined to break through all her walls for it. And who doesn’t love a determined man.

What starts of as Burgess volunteering to be her buddy as she experiences the thrills of her bucket list, soon veers into some dangerous territory. Well, if banging your hot boss is dangerous anyway. But I digress once more.

This was such a cute, funny and deliciously sexy romance that I simply couldn’t get enough of. I loved Burgess and his big teddy bear ways. Almost as much as I loved his dirty mouth and beastly tendencies in the bedroom. There was plenty of laughs along the way and a yummy grovel to boot. And who doesn’t love a good grovel, I ask you?

Anyhoos, if you’re looking for a fun read with plenty of steam and terrific characters, look no further.

Review: If You Want Me by Helena Hunting

IF YOU WANT ME
Series: The Toronto Terror #2
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 11, 2024

There’s no one more off limits than my best friend’s daughter.

Peggy Aurora Hammerstein. The Toronto Terror’s unofficial team princess. I would never do anything to mess with our team dynamics this late into the hockey season, but seeing her work in the front office changed something for me.

I see her as she is now: a powerful woman with ambition for miles. When I hold her against me, she fits perfectly.

Her little flirts and taunts push my buttons, if she doesn’t stop–my control just might break. But I can never cross that line. I can never know what it could be to call her mine.

I’ve never wanted anyone more than Aurora and no one can ever know.

* This is Hollis Hendrix’s standalone novel. If you want to meet Hollis before you read this book, check out If You Hate Me, Rix and Tristan’s story.

AMAZON

 

I’ve never wanted anyone more than Aurora and no one can ever know.

If there is one thing I love more than a hockey romance, it’s a hockey romance with an age gap/forbidden element added. And nothing is more forbidden that your father’s best friend, eh?

If she was five years older, if she wasn’t still in university, if she wasn’t my best friend’s fucking daughter. If I wasn’t more than a decade older than her with enough relationship baggage to fill a dump truck.

Though it sounds worse than it is because the age gap is only 13 years. Aurora is 20 and Hollis is 33. Aurora’s father was a teen dad, and Hollis is a bit younger than him, but I digress. I read this in my usual back-asswards way, which is to say that I hadn’t read book one first. But look, in my defense, the blurb to this one was calling my name and I couldn’t help myself. So get off my back, gawd!

I want things I shouldn’t. Things I should erase from my brain, but I don’t. I can’t. Won’t.

Have you ever read a scene that gave you second hand embarrassment that your entire body feels? Because wowza was that the opening scene for me. Aurora looks after Hollis’s kitties (like the actual cats, ok? get your mind out of the gutter) while he’s away for hockey. She’s also had the hots for him for a while and so she decides that it’s a good idea to have a bit of a self help sesh with her vibrator in his bed…and then forgets her vibrator on his night stand. Yes, he finds it. Oh and I did I mention he also has kitty camps in his bedroom? Awkwaaaaard. But I digress again.

The chemistry and tension between these two was through the roof. I loved watching Hollis try and fail at fighting their growing attraction. Especially when he encourages her to date and then his possessive and jealous side rears its head when he walks in on said date. Aurora is also not shy about going after what she wants. She had her moments where she definitely showed her age, but she was also easy to like. And when these two finally give into the inevitable? SIZZLING.

It did take me a hot minute to wrap my head around all the secondary characters and even the main ones with all the different names. It almost felt like too much at times. Like Aurora is Peggy (Aurora is her middle name). Her dad call her Peggy and Hollis calls her Aurora and Princess, but then she’s also called Hammer, which is short for Hammerstein (her last name). Same for some of the other characters and I found myself quickly losing track of who is who. But I also have the attention span of a rodent, so do take that with a grain of salt.

In any case, I really enjoyed this sizzling hockey romance. It brought the laughs, the swoons, a little bit of the cringey, and plenty of the spice. It put a smile on my face and kept it there until the end. Definitely recommend for all my hockey romance loving readers out there.

Review: The Coven by Harper L Woods

THE COVEN
Series: Coven of Bones #1
Author: Harper L Woods
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: October 25, 2023

From indie darling Harper L. Woods comes THE COVEN, a sexy, deliciously imaginative fantasy romance where The Magicians meets Ninth House with vampires.

Revenge.

Raised to be my father’s weapon against the Coven that took away his sister and his birthright, I would do anything to protect my younger brother from suffering the same fate. My duty forces me to the secret town of Crystal Hollow and the prestigious Hollow’s Grove University—where the best and brightest of my kind learn to practice their magic free from human judgment.

There are no whispered words here. No condemnation for the blood that flows through my veins. The only animosity I face comes from the beautiful and infuriating Headmaster, Alaric Grayson Thorne, a man who despises me just as much as I loathe him and everything he stands for.

But that doesn’t mean secrets don’t threaten to tear the school in two. No one talks about the bloody massacre that forced it to close decades prior, only the opportunity it can afford to those fortunate enough to attend.

Because for the first time in fifty years, the Coven will open its wards to the Thirteen.

Thirteen promising students destined to change the world.

If the ghosts of Hollow’s Grove’s victims don’t kill them first.

At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

AMAZON

I very much look forward to reminding you how much I hate you when I bury my cock between your thighs.”

First of all, I have been sleeping on Harper L Woods and I am wholly ashamed of myself. I have discovered an auto buy author because, friends, this book was EVERYTHING. Like all the things. ALL OF THEM, MKAY?!

There is nothing more I love than a fierce, kick-ass FMC. Well, actually, there is, and it’s a morally gray hero…or anti hero…if you will. And OMG when I tell you that I devoured this book.

Willow is a witch who has been hiding from the world of The Coven and brutally prepared for her destiny. The last thing she wants is to follow the man who arrives at her door, but when her little brother’s life is in danger, she’s determined to protect him. Even if it means making a deal with the devil. Willow finds herself in Crystal Hollow and the prestigious Hollow’s Grove University, a world of witches and secrets. And the bane of her existence is the grumpy headmaster who dragged her there. And the tension and chemistry between these two? OMG it was on another level.

If you love an enemies to lovers vibe, this had it in spades. Deliciously so. With a splash of forbidden. But Willow is not just at the university to learn of her destiny. She has secrets, dark ones, and an agenda that can get her killed. The story was a delicious thrill ride of twists and turns. Secrets and betrayals. I devoured it in one nail biting sitting and immediately jumped into book two. This world owns me wholly and entirely and I am so obsessed. I cannot recommend it enough for any of my fellow dark romantasy readers out there.

Review: Twisted Deeds by Mila Kane

DARK DELIGHTS
Series: Hellions of Hade Harbor Book 3
Author: Mila Kane
Genre: Dark Romance, New Adult Romance
Release Date: June 26, 2024

They call her the Ice Queen.
Winter De Laurie. Cold by name and by nature.
She’s always been a spoiled little brat, daddy’s little princess, while I’m the guy from the wrong side of the tracks. She’s always made it clear that I’m beneath her.
It was hate from first sight.

But when she needs help, she can’t turn to anyone from her cushy, cashmere life.
She needs a man who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
She comes to me.
I’ll help, for a price.
I’ve started to think that while I might hate the ice queen, I wouldn’t mind dirtying up her innocent princess persona.
Even royals can fall, and I plan to ruin this one completely.


Meet the Ice Gods, the Hockey players who never play by the rules and own Hade Harbor and everyone in it. Dark Delights is a standalone bully romance featuring a possessive hockey playing Ice God, and the smart, mouthy object of his obsession.

AMAZON

You’ve got some fucking mouth on you, DeLaurie. One day, someone, somewhere, is going to show you that the sun doesn’t shine out of your ass… and put you in your place.”
“In my place?”
“Yeah, in your fucking place.” He leaned in, his hot breath against my lips. “On your knees… crawling, naked and humble, until the brat act dies…”

I have been absolutely feral for this book ever since the last chapter of Dark Delights. That sneak peek into Winter and Asher’s story had me gagging. GAGGING I tell you.

I’m the trouble you won’t recover from.”


Asher is the bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Beckett’s best friend and Eve’s twin brother from Dark Delights. He doesn’t come from money or born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s pure unadulterated talent with NHL dreams, and the last thing he wants is to get tangled up with the rich girl, Winter.

If you offer me anything, I’ll take everything.”

Winter and Asher’s relationship is not a simple one. It’s full of hate, loathing, and equal opportunity antagonism. Winter is desperate to escape the attention of an obnoxious rich guy who has his eyes on her and zero good intentions, so she lies to her father that she has a boyfriend. Now to just convince Asher to play along.

Asher wants nothing to do with the ice queen and so a game begins of Asher pushing and Winter pulling. A game of sorts to see if Winter can push him into faking their relationship and Asher pushing her to look like a fool. It was utterly delicious. I loved the push and pull between them and I loved their hate lust. It even had the impossible happening and me coming to like Selena, and who saw THAT coming considering how much I hated her in the previous book. And I sincerely hope Mila will have a book for her because I need her redemption. There’s also a peak into a new secondary character who will be getting a duet soon and I CANNOT FLIPPING WAIT.

My only quibble is there was a scene with Winter and Asher at the end of the previous book that I thought we would get more of or at least an explanation. And while I can assume, it wasn’t plugged into this book…unless I missed something. I was sort of expecting to have that scene come up and built on in this book. But in either case, I devoured this book and finished it in one sitting, so clearly it didn’t bother me much. And I cannot wait for more in this series. If you love dark hockey romance, this series is a must read.

 

I’m obsessed with cats, coffee, and anti-heroes just the right side of insane.

I write dark and dirty romance with the alpha-holes of your most filthy nightmares.

While I like my heroes obsessed and powerful, I like my heroines smart and independent. My headstrong, capable women will bring their own personal demons to their knees, and capture their hearts at the same time.

I only write SAFE stories, there is never a place for another woman in my heroes sights, once he’s caught the scent of the heroine, and there will always be, no matter how dark and twisted the story might be… a HEA guarantee xx

 

Connect with Mila

Website | https://www.milakane.com/

Amazon | https://amzn.to/44E1nt6

Facebook | www.facebook.com/MilaKanewrites

Facebook Group | https://bit.ly/3NOGG6C

Instagram | www.instagram.com/milakanebooks/

TikTok | www.tiktok.com/@milakanebooks

Pinterest | www.pinterest.co.uk/MilaKaneWrites/

 


 

Review: Storm by Abbi Glines

STORM
Series:
Georgia Smoke #4
Author: Abbi Gaines
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 26, 2024

Briar

Falling in love with a man you can’t fully trust isn’t just unwise, it’s a constant battle. Storm Kingston had busted into my life, shattering my well-maintained walls. He claimed I was his, promising to fulfill all my dreams. But I had already caught him in a lie that I couldn’t confront him about. To do so would mean the death of an innocent person. One would think that knowing his deceit and manipulation would be enough for me to shield my heart, but it wasn’t.

I was afraid the man also owned my soul.

The lies I don’t know… they’re the ones that will shatter me, the ones that could be my undoing.

Storm

Most might consider me unhinged, possibly psychotic, but Briar wasn’t someone I was willing to lose. Ever. I did what needed to be done to protect, take care of, and keep her. She loved me and wanted to be with me. If I had to do some frowned-upon things to make sure she didn’t leave me, then I’d do them. Besides, not everyone deserves to live. Especially those that did anything to make her life less than perfect.

I would keep my secrets because the truth wouldn’t be pleasant for her. And I wanted to keep my girl smiling. She wouldn’t understand the things I’d chosen to do to protect her. If she ever found out, she would try to leave me. Try being the operative word.

She had no idea the twisted things I would do to make sure that day never came.

AMAZON

We weren’t perfect, but in all the wrong, there was this intense perfection that would either save me or ruin me.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t know what sort of book crack Abbi laces this series with but I am obsessed and I will never get enough!

This is the conclusion of Storm and Briar’s book and you absolutely need to read Sizzling first as their story is a duet. If you don’t love your fictional men walking red flags, fully unhinged, possessive and jealous than this ain’t the series for you. As for me? I will devour it whole and lick every finger.

“I think the word you’re looking for is unhinged,” I said.
“Oh, it is. It’s also real.”

What’s funny is that I could probably sit here and pick apart Briar’s easy giving in to Storm at every turn but I just can’t find it in me to care. The series before this and this spinoff have become comfort reads to me that just hit the spot. They’re one of those stories that you can shut off your brain and just enjoy. Ya know? It’s just pure book crack with toxic men and the women that fall for them and I am so here for it.

Storm definitely stays on brand with his stalker tendencies and crazy possessiveness of Briar and I spent the entirety of the book just waiting for the other shoe to drop and Briar to see the extent of his secrets. And while I wanted Briar to make him work for it a bit more, I still love that she gave it back and made her feelings and boundaries known…even though Storm continues to steamroll right past them.

The spice was spicing as only Abbi knows how. I love her brand of dirty talkers. But can we just talk about my absolute FERAL need for Thatcher’s book? because if Storm is unhinged, Thatcher is an absolute psychopath and I’m half in love with him already.

The story as the rest of this series was a binge read in one sitting; satisfying, spicy, and so much fun! I love this series!

Review: So This is War by Meghan Quinn

SO THIS IS WAR
Series: The Agitators #5
Author: Meghan Quinn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 25, 2024

Did I think I was going to fall for my coach’s daughter?

The answer would be no.

I’m still unclear on how I got into this predicament in the first place. A year ago, I was a man with one thought on his mind, the redhead I met at a hotel bar. Twelve months later, I found her.

Unfortunately for me, she not only happens to be my very off-limits coach’s daughter, but also . . . my new assistant and roommate.

I don’t even need an assistant, but Coach Wood doesn’t take no for an answer. Add in him writing up tasks for his daughter, Wylie, to complete for me? Well, it’s his own form of sweet torture. We are talking tasks that I would never ask her to do.

Tasks that make her despise me.

Hate me.

That make her utter four words that cause a shiver to crawl up my spine . . . Posey, this is war.

A coach’s daughter, workplace, forbidden standalone sports romance featuring the hockey men you can’t get enough of. This steamy, roommates-to-lovers romantic comedy will bring all the laughs while burning up the pages at the same time.

AMAZON

Her eyes bore into me, the same fucking eyes as her father, but whereas his are scary . . . hers are mesmerizing.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, sweet and swoony romcom, look no further. This book was everything I didn’t know I needed and I spent the entirety of it with a goofy grin on my face.

Quite the vibration,” she says as the vibrator’s buzzing fills the silence. “Feels strong yet not too powerful where it could cause your innards to turn inward.”
I look up at her. “Is that a thing?”
She shrugs. “Feels like it could be. Is that supposed to hit the G-spot?”
I glance down at the flat side that is, in fact, supposed to massage the G-spot. It’s currently massaging the tip of my toe. “Yes,” I answer.
“Fascinating. And that piece on the end there, is that for the clit?”
“The one that is currently sucking my pinky toe?” I ask.
“Yes, that one.”
“Yeah,” I answer. “That’s for the clit.”

When I tell you the banter was on fire, I mean it was EVERYTHING.

I did myself a bit of a disservice by reading this first but I plan on rectifying that mistake by reading the rest of the series immediately. In my defense, the blurb to this book was simply too good to pass up NOT reading it first. And I am not sorry! Also to add, it is easily enjoyed as a standalone to which I am a true testament of.

Levi Posey and Wiley first meet at a bar and have instant chemistry. But while he has no idea who she is at the time beyond his wild attraction to her, she knows exactly who she flirts with. Flash forward a
year later and these two cross paths in the most interesting of ways. Wiley is determined to prove to her dad that she can pursue her dream career vs the one he claims she needs and they strike a bargain. She works a regular job and if she can survive it, he’ll support her. But he’s not about to let nature take its course. Nope. He’s determined to make her job a living hell. So what’s a hockey coach to do? Bully one of his star players to be the employer from hell for his daughter who will work as a personal assistant. Enter Levi Posey and the shock of a lifetime.

But the fun doesn’t really start until Wiley figures out the game and is determined to drive the man out of his ever loving mind and use their chemistry in her favor. I loved this woman and her take charge attitude. And Posey? OMG. The man is an absolute cinnamon roll and I loved him for it. He’s also a dirty talking beast in the sack and definitely knows how to take charge in the bedroom. But when Wiley makes him suffer, he definitely breaks a sweat and it was hilarious.

The humor was humoring and the steam was steaming. I loved their banter and I loved the slow burn. Admittedly I did want to junk punch Wiley’s father for basically the entirety of the book. The man was a tyrant and while he did take a positive turn, it was difficult to digest by then. But Levi and his friend gang is really what made this book for me. I love the friendship he has not only with his teammates but their women. And I absolutely loved the banter of their group text messages.

If you want a fun, steamy romcom, this is sure to hit every spot, even those you didn’t know you had 😉 

SA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

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Review: Ocean of Sin and Starlight by Karina Halle

OCEAN OF SIN AND STARLIGHT
Series: Nightwind #2
Author: Karina Halle
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Release Date: June 10, 2024

PRIEST. PIRATE. MONSTER.

From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes Ocean of Sin and Starlight, a dark-fantasy romance with morally gray pirates and monstrous sirens, a standalone spinoff of A Ship of Bones and Teeth.


I wasn’t always a monster.

Once upon a time I had a family, a home, dreams.

Until it was taken away from me and I was turned into a creature only the Devil could love, cursed with bloodlust and immortality.

I spent a century in an isolated monastery for other heathens like me, learning to control my most monstrous impulses, becoming a man of faith so I could put my sins behind me.

I was doing so well.

I was almost…human.

Until I met her.

Larimar, the tempting siren who made me forget my vows, who promised herself to me before she escaped my clutches.

Now I’m obsessed with tracking Larimar down, joining an infamous pirate crew on their ship the Nightwind as we search the high seas for any sign of her.

I don’t know what I’ll do when I find her.

But I know she belongs to me.

And I’ll become a monster once more.

NOTE TO This book can be read as a standalone. HOWEVER, if you were planning on reading A Ship of Bones and Teeth, then I would read that first before you read OOSAS.
ALSO…please head the content warnings inside the front of he book as it has many triggers.

AMAZON

She’s the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen, shining in this watery darkness like a beacon, a North Star, a light that will lead me somewhere. Except I already know she’s going to lead me straight to Hell. And I’m going to go willingly.

A Ship of Bones & Teeth is easily one of my favorite Karina Halle books and I’ve been eagerly anticipating more in this world. And while I may sell my soul for Thane’s book, this one still hit the spot just right. Now while you can enjoy this as a standalone, I highly recommend you read A Ship of Bones and Teeth first. You would appreciate this story that much more, trust me.

You have a filthy mouth for a holy man.”
He seems surprised by my comment. “I suppose only a filthy creature like yourself could bring it out of me.”

Larimar and Priest’s story is not for the faint of heart. It’s not quite dark, but it’s firmly in the morally gray area…for both of them. And well, who doesn’t love a bloodthirsty FMC? And a Syren who eats human organs is my sort of bloodthirsty. And in case you’re curious, there’s a very delicious connection between Larimar and Marin from Ship of Bones and Teeth but I won’t spoil what exactly.

Priest(Father Aragon) is a human witch who gets turned by a vampyre and loses his humanity until the help of stranger turned life long friend saves him. Now he lives a peaceful and secluded life as a holy man and hides his monstrous cravings from humanity until the glimpse of something leads him chasing his bloodthirsty cravings. When he stumbles on a gory scene of what remains of villagers and 3 survivors on a boat who claim to be attacked by a syren. So what’s a holy man to do? Well, go out in the dead of night to capture the syren so you can nail her to a cross and drink her blood, obvs.

He used my body as if it would lead him to heaven, and I used his as if he was leading me to hell.

Father Aragon is a bad bad man. Well, he’s not a man, but you get what I’m saying here. Did I happen to mention that syren blood is basically catnip to vampyres? Yep. It is. But I digress.

What starts as one thing soon starts to build into something more as lust enters the picture. And as much as Larimar hates her circumstance and wants to escape, she finds herself craving Priest’s depravity. I don’t want to ruin the story with too many details but the story is told in two parts and boy did I love the second part, particularly seeing some favorite cameos.

This was a deliciously sinful gray-ish romance that I enjoyed, albeit not as much as Ship of Bones, but it still certainly hit the spot. I loved the way Priest paid his penance to Larimar and I really enjoyed their romance. There’s plenty to twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. And while this is not a story that would be for everyone, this reader certainly enjoyed it.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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