July 19, 2021

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Rookie by Kendall Ryan
Series: Looking to Score #3
on July 20, 2021
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A talented rookie who's about to lose it all. A reluctant sports therapist who might be able to help.

He has everything a man could want. A lucrative hockey contract. Adoring fans. A family who loves him.

But he’s about to throw it all away. Logan Tate’s name is dominating the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Instead of goals and assists, the talented young defenseman has been racking up fights and suspensions.

I work with athletes who are struggling, but Logan’s different. He’s not just going to blow his season, but his entire career. And now he can’t return to the ice until he deals with his issues, but the stubborn man won’t let anyone get close enough to help.

Which is why I packed up and followed him to his family’s property in the remote mountains of Colorado. He can’t avoid me here.

The only problem?
I can’t avoid him either. He’s chopping wood and building fires, rescuing my car from snowy ditches, and inviting me to Sunday dinners with his loud extended family. He’s a whole lot of man, but beneath all those hard edges is an unexpected tenderness.

Tempted or not, I have to stay out of his bed and get him back to the ice . . . no matter how difficult that might be.

An emotional addition to the Looking to Score series from Kendall Ryan! THE ROOKIE is a bit unorthodox in that there is not a lot of hockey or much in the way of team camaraderie in it but Logan’s family steals the show and makes the reader fall in love with each and every member of them by the end of the book. I wanted more of Logan and Summer together after they finally admit they’re all in, but I enjoyed their journey!

Logan is an interesting character who has a lot going on in his life at the moment that manages to take us on a journey to his family home in Colorado.

Summer is trying her best to get Logan back on the ice and back in a good head space.

I recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance with a lot of heart.

* Review * BUILDING A SURPRISE FAMILY by Anna J. Stewart

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Building a Surprise Family by Anna J. Stewart
Series: Butterfly Harbor Stories #10
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on July 27, 2021
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An instant family…
Is life-changing!

Pregnant construction supervisor Jo Bertoletti doesn’t need anyone’s help…or another heartbreak. So she’s putting handsome, kindhearted firefighter Ozzy Lakeman firmly into the friend zone. After all, she’s just passing through Butterfly Harbor, and her life is too complicated for a summer romance. But Ozzy feels an immediate connection. Can he convince the woman of his dreams to take a chance on building a forever family with him?

A return visit to Butterfly Harbor is like going home! Anna J. Stewart has done a phenomenal job of wrapping a small town around her readers’ hearts and giving us story after story filled with a strong supporting cast of friends and family in this small coastal town that manages to house so much love. With an amazing tenth book in her Butterfly Harbor Stories series Stewart brings us one of her sweetest heroes ever when Ozzy finally meets the love of his life in BUILDING A SURPRISE FAMILY. Great characters, strong back stories and a sweet happily ever after that will make you melt!

Ozzy has been a character that I’ve felt a connection with from the very beginning of the series and seeing him work so hard to realize some dreams has been so rewarding. I loved him in this book and seeing him happy is the best.

Jo is strong willed and self-sufficient, but seeing her let her guard down and let Ozzy bring a softness to her life is really inspiring.

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a small town romance filled with easily relatable characters and a friendly cast of extras in every story that make the town fulfilling.