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Showing posts from May, 2025

Finlay: Wild Edges book 1: Lark Taylor

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Y'all, FINLAY was everything I hoped it would be and more, honestly. Lark brings her sprawling storytelling, a sweeping romance packed with feels, and we get a hunky ripped wolf shifter. Yes, please. As much as I loved Finlay and seeing the wolf bros and more of the shifter clan, CHESTER and Reid stole the show for me. In Damned Collections, the short story collection, we meet Chester, and I KNEW this man would be my favorite. Even with everything he's been through, he's an absolute sweetheart. This isn't a spoiler, but there's a moment when he's thinking of his "Uncle Cal" and wishing he had gotten to know him... and WE know who Cal is... but Chester doesn't. And it's so remarkably sweet, and it just made me emotional. But that's so Chester, and seeing him in his shop and trying to get by... he's just so charming, and I so badly wanted him to get his HEA. AND HE DID!!! FAVE MOMENTS (no context with letters missing for added mystique): ...

Labor of Love anthology: various authors

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This LABOR OF LOVE anthology is out June 2nd, and all proceeds are going to planned parenthood. I've only read three of the stories so far, but they point to the fact that this will be anthology you want, ESPECIALLY if you're into ABO stories or Mpreg. ●●●● Feed Me Please: Kiki Clark When Basil is left pregnant and alone, he decides he doesn't need an alpha. "I don't need no man" vibes are going strong. But when he is moving into his new apartment, the smell of dinner is so tempting it has him knocking on an unknown alpha's door asking for food. Viktor is drawn in immediately by Basil, and the connection is practically instant. Basil may not need an alpha, but that doesn’t mean he doesn't WANT one. I loved Viktor just going along with things like, yes, here are all my dreams coming true. ●●●●● His Bear Bombshell Anna Sparrows Tim knows he shouldn't go to the "unlocking party", he isn't allowed because he's an omega. But he goes an...

Loathed Lagan: Foster Brothers book 3: Nora Phoenix

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It took me DAYS, but I finally finished Loathed: Lagan. I LOVED the first two books of this series, but Lagan and Killian dragged for me.  If I wasn't so invested in the brothers' storyline, I don't think I would have finished this one. Killian and Lagan just had zero chemistry. And Killian was kind of the worst. I love Nora Phoenix's writing style, and the Foster brothers' dynamic is so compelling that I had to finish the story, but normally, I would have dnf-ed. But the good points pulled 3⭐️ and I loved learning Lagan's back story. Their trip to Chicago was a big delight as well as all the previous couples' cameos. I also loved the focus on how Killian and Lagan both volunteer at the legal aid clinic. AND I can't forget about Lagan's passion for the rights of kids in the foster system. I'm excited to read Nordin's story!

Hired Hadley : Foster Brothers book 2: Nora Phoenix

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I am LOVING rereading this series! I had forgotten how much I enjoyed the Foster Brothers. HIRED: HADLEY is Hadley & Sebastian's story. Perfect for the folks who love grumpy/sunshine stories AND boss/employee romances. Hadley is happy being a temporary PA. The trauma he experienced as a child makes him iffy about putting down SOLID roots or relationships anywhere - with the exception of his brother's. He's told himself he doesn't want to feel "tied down," and that branches into almost every aspect of his life. He likes his jobs, he likes organizing things for his clients, and he likes hooking up with no strings. He newest job is for Sebastian, the CEO of a robotics company. Sebastian is grumpy because he hates his job and doesn't really know how to ask for help. Remarkably, when Hadley and Sebastian meet, we are set up to expect a clash - but Hadley sees the issues and works them all out. The only problem is that these two have chemistry for days. ...

Jilted Jaren: Foster Brothers book 1::: Nora Phoenix

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I truly think that series is criminally slept on. THE FOSTER BROTHERS series is about four guys who grew up in a Chicago group home together and aged out. They de ided to become their own family, and they all changed their names to FOSTER. Book one is Jaren's story. Jaren is jilted at the altar, the night before his wedding. The person delivering the news? The bride's brother, Reid. Reid, who has always had a thing for Jaren and distanced himself to protect his own heart. Swoomn factor eleven over here people. Jaren and Reid are "opposites" - with Reid being the more spontaneous and charismatic one and Jaren is the thoughtful and considered one. Reid is a tattooer, and Jaren is an accountant. Oh! Jaren had always considered himself straightish, but he was never really attached to a label. I loved how he approached this new unexplored part of himself. It felt authentic without a lot of panic, which does sometimes happen,  but not always.  This is a pretty quick story o...

Humility: Damned Connections book 4: Lark Taylor

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Oh, WOW. This story was so incredibly good. πŸ’š Alpha wolf shifter/human πŸ’š Friends to lovers πŸ’š IDIOTS to lovers πŸ’š Co-dependency πŸ’š F*c kb oi meets f*c kb oi πŸ’š Chosen mates Humility was a great blend of humor, cuteness, ridiculousness, dummies, found family, shifters, possessiveness, codependency, grief, and love. Throughout this story, I laughed, gasped, cried, and even cheered! In the other books, I was never really attached to Danny or Riley, but now I want to reread the series, from the beginning, to see them as side characters once again. Riley and Danny are absolute dummies. Honestly. They loved each other SO MUCH, and their obliviousness was out of this world. Maybe even teetering into uncharted territory. It was so cute and ridiculous. This wouldn't be a Lark book if there wasn't a BIG Moment, and Humility's big moments delivered. A sweeping love and seriously sex positive/enthusiastic. I mean, these two get INTO IT. Reread 05/17/25 in preparation for FINLAY's...

Covenant: The Firm book 1: Cora Rose & Lark Taylor

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Oooooo, COVENANT was worth staying up until 3am for. I ATE THIS BOOK UP. For real, the first chapter had me hooked, and I was ready to go wherever Lark and Cora were taking me.  The setting: eerie AF The world building: wonderful The storytelling: A+ Matthias and Wyatt are introduced as "enemies," and that seems legit until it no longer does. Then you're suddenly wrapped up in Wyatt's situation, and to be real, neither narrator feels trustworthy. So, knowing that, we get the present in Wyatt's words, and we get the past in Matthias'. That just adds to the "what is happening?" vibe that runs through so much of the story. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to strangle Wyatt. Babe, get it together, you drama queen. And Matthias, honey, you need therapy. And definitely a communications workshop. But this story was an adventure. So many times, my heart was breaking for Wyatt, the dummy. His desperation drips off the page, and when he finds himse...

Sweet Like Whiskey: Darling Brothers book 1: Emmy Sanders

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If you're looking for low angst high swoon - with COWBOYS πŸ‘€ look no further. For real, I swooned so hard I almost fell over.  Ash and Jackson are DARLING. I loved them so so so much.  The gruff but super soft and sweet cowboy. The bright sunshiney smiley new guy.  The humming & singing. The damned donkey. The entire Darling family.  Everything in this book screamed romance and idyllic. These two characters were obviously made for each other. I adored them.  I obviously can't spoil the story, I went in blind, and want you too as well.  Needless to say, I need so many more Darling brother books. We know where Colt will end up, and I'm thinking I know Lawson's intended... but Remi... he's a mystery. I loved every moment with him.  Ash was wonderful. I loved his quirks and the figurine, and the honest & frank way he approached things. His feelings. His chronic pain.  Jackson was a big hearted cowboy with kindness & a thoughtfulness as big...

Brim Over Boot: Darling Brothers book 2: Emmy Sanders

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Oh my god, I am UNWELL. I shouldn't be surprised, but this one snuck up on me. BRIM OVER BOOT was fantastic. I'll be the first to admit that enemies to lovers is not my go-to genre. But Colt and Noah were damn enjoyable to read. From the beginning, you could see that Noah was under Colt's skin, and I was so here for when things started happening. And lord did they! Their love story is packed full of humor, rivalry, ridiculousness, and miscommunication/misunderstanding. They're idiots, your honor. But they're also SWEETHEARTS. Colt's struggle and fight along with Noah's possessiveness and patience. It's swoony over here! I loved seeing the Darling family again and meeting Walter. AND the Darling donkey cameo! I will die for Remington, if necessary. I could go chapter by chapter listing everything I loved about this one because Colt and Noah were just that good! BRIM OVER BOOT is out May 22nd. You still have time to read (or reread) book one, Sweet Like Wh...

Distraction: Mobsters and Billionaires book 4: Kelly Fox

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Loved Hopper finally getting his RICO agent. This was a great story. Packed with romance, gunplay, mafia baddies, found family, past trauma, grief, and friendship - Hopper and Liam get the HEA they deserve. I especially enjoyed Hopper being more than just the "crazy mafia enforcer." He was a fully fleshed out character, from his love of πŸ”ͺπŸ”ͺ all the way to his paintings and his love of animals. Liam peeling back all his layers and slowly falling for him was an absolute treat. But, oof, what a sad backstory. Hopper's claustrophobia was so valid, and watching him deal with his trauma wasn't fun, but I loved to see him thriving. There were plenty of cameos (YAY!), and we got more of the crappy Byrne Brother family + Fallon, woof. But it was all so well done, and when you're reading a mafia story, you gotta deal with baddies. Oh! Also, Liam's grief. Losing his grandfather  and his job, and then as he's falling for Hop, that grief over not being able to share w...

Attraction: Mobsters and Billionaires book 3: Kelly Fox

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Okay. These two are everything.  On one hand, we have ridiculously stylish and financially brilliant Ford *the billionaire*. And on the other is old-Hollywood swoon worthy mafia don Luca *the mobster*. They shouldn't work, but they are πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯  Ford is skittish... and not just because Luca's a mafioso. He's a virgin, and he has baggage. Men have been horrid and impatient and Ford expects more of the same [and honestly he has a treasure box of toys so maybe he doesn't need men anyway] - but Luca continues his pursuit with a steady and endearing pace that is so dreamy you'll want to keel over and die.  We don't just get these two and their love story. We get more Luca being a sexy mafia BOSS. We get more Joe/Rand from book one and Mads/Anthony from book 2. Hopper, of course, setting the groundwork for book four *it's amazing, by the way* Don't sleep on it.  There's also baddies and baddies getting their comeuppance. The Rouge's Masquerade. An Italia...

Protection: Mobsters & Billionaires book 2: Kelly Fox

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It's been a hot minute since I've read PROTECTION, and I had forgotten how FUNNY it was. Mads has it BAD for Anthony Edgerton, the security guru guy. Anthony may also have a thing for Mads, but he's trying to be all professional about it. And they're both failing! This story packs a whopper of a punch. There's mafia hijinx, international espionage & spy stuff, spicy times, abductions and rescues, serious flirting, and a VIENNA EXCEPTION. Iykyk. I'm here for Mads' puffer jacket. And for Anthony's soft underbelly. I was 100% here for their chemistry - whoo wee, they get up to it. There's the size difference and the "I knew you'd kill everyone to get me back." It's πŸ”₯πŸ”₯πŸ”₯ I like that the billionaires are trying to do good and don't really want to be billionaires. Mads, Rand, and Ford try to do right by people even though they allare billionaires and seem to have a close tie with the mafia. Oh! And I love Anthony as the do goode...

Zero Pucks: EM Lindsey

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Okay, so real talk. There were parts of this story that I LOVED and parts that just dragged on for me. I loved Amedeo. He seemed like an absolute sweetheart, and I kept reading the story to see if his ever got his comeuppance. I liked everything about Deo and just wanted him to get everything good in the world. Tucker was the other MC. He was hit or miss for me. Maybe I'm just too old to be charmed by the bro type character anymore. There were times his attitude really gave me the ick. BUT I was HERE for his twin storyline and wanted to see how it turned out. Deo and Tucker got accidentally drunk married in Vegas, and the story picks up hard when Deo and Tucker meet again, later, to straighten it all out. ZERO PUCKS is out on May 20th! Deo and Tucker's story ends with an HEA πŸ’™ and I love the fact they found the person for them. 

Want You Back: Annabet Albert

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Ooof. WANT YOU BACK had me all up in my feels last night. Between the story and the storm, my emotions and anxiety were all over the place. I woke up this morning emotionally hungover. So yeah, I loved WANT YOU BACK. Love the tears if I get an HEA in the end, and we did!! Two unlikely best friends find their second chance when Maverick returns home to his family ranch and reconnects with the town sheriff, Colt. This story packs a punch with family trauma, loss, addiction, grief, and leaving your first love behind only to come back 20 years later and find them again. There were many times during this story when I became a crying mess. Mav & Colt seemed to always find their way through all of it, though. Maybe it's a family trauma thing, but both of these main characters were drowning in family expectations. Mav, to be a carbon copy of his dad and take over the ranch. Colt, to "be the man of the house" and prioritize his mom and siblings over everyone else. A person can...

Misfits of Copper County: book 3: May Archer

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Oh. Misfits of Copper County was ooey gooey perfection. Think: walled off, stoic contractor and the awkward, too smart, insecure journalist. Now imagine they're both stubborn and argumentative. Throw in forced proximity, small town shenanigans, and multiple mysteries - PLUS some serious CHEMISTRY, and you get Delaney & Brewer. I loved Delaney and Brewer independently, and I loved them together... dependently. This Copper Lake series has been such an absolute  delight.  It's JOY and happily ever afters and small town silliness andependent. It's jam cupboards and accidental fires. It's decorative head ornaments and snowstorms. I think my favorite part was watching how hard Delaney and Brewer fought themselves over their feelings. These two were undeniable and inevitable. They were so sweet on each other. I love the Coppertain cameos. I love the Copperplate storyline with _____. I loved seeing Chris and Reed, always. Along with the John Ruffian references. Seriously, I...

Sleet Kitten: SJ Tilly book one, reread

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Yes. Every yes. Every star. Sleet Kitten is book one in SJ Tilly's Sleet Hockey series. I one billion percent recommend this book. Especially if you're looking for a hetero hockey romance. Katelyn has a sexy meet cute with Jackson at a fancy party she was guilted into attending. I can't give any of the details away because it's cute AND hilarious, and I don't want to spoil it. This book had so many laugh out loud moments. I genuinely laughed so hard I almost threw up. These two are a complete mess and totally bonkers, but they work so well together. If you're looking for spice, it's there, and when it's on, it's ON, but there aren't tons of steamy scenes. But the vibes are immaculate. The friendships are top tier. The MOTHER MARY MOMENT had me cackling like a loon, and the [redacted] scene had me in tears. If you like M/F romances, you're gonna enjoy this one. I've loved every book I've read by Tilly so far, and I'm gonna keep on ...