October 3, 2022

* Review * BAD BOY CRUSH by Jessica Lemmon

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Bad Boy Crush by Jessica Lemmon
Series: Evergreen Cove #2
Published by Lemmon Ink on October 4, 2022
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A stormy past leads to an unexpected reunion.

Lourdes Daniels’s divorce came with a fallout: losing close friend Anthony Renaldo. Now she’s ready to heal their rift under one condition…this time, she’s protecting her heart at all costs. But when a surprise and very public kiss fast tracks them to the bedroom, Lourdes is suddenly seeing Anthony in an entirely new way…

After spending five years at arm’s length from Lourdes, chainsaw artist Anthony Renaldo isn’t about to miss his second chance. Proving his prowess in bed is easy, but getting Lourdes onboard for more is practically impossible. He has a choice to make: settle for less with Lourdes once again, or convince her that he’s worth the risk.

Sweet and sentimental meets steamy goodness in the second book in Jessica Lemmon’s Evergreen Cove series and I loved it! This fast paced frenemies to lovers story is sure to please as snarky meets goodhearted and hearts collide. I wanted a bit more development to the character’s as a whole, but I enjoyed their reconnection and personalities a lot. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series.

Lourdes is a delight. She’s snarky and direct and downright full of attitude, but she has a heart of gold and warmth galore.

Anthony is such a sweetheart and totally misunderstood in his disagreement with Lou. I loved seeing her forgive him and step into what they could be.

I recommend this book as well as the rest of the series to anyone that enjoys a semi-small vacation town filled with relatable characters and their friends as each one pairs off into their happily ever after.

* Review * SLAPSHOT by Jami Davenport

Slapshot by Jami Davenport
Series: The Scoring Series #8
Published by Cedrona Enterprises on September 29, 2022
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BRYCE:
I'm the guy the entire team loves to hate. Not only am I one of the Sockeyes' best players, but I make sure everyone knows it. No woman has ever held my heart until I meet Tia. She's everything I am, gorgeous, rude, arrogant with a capital 'TUDE, and we're both concealing soul-shattering pain. Together we're fire and ice, a combo I can't resist and one that has me worried I've finally succumbed to the worst four-letter word in the English language--LOVE.

TIA:
After my mother's tragic death, I've lashed out and driven away everyone who ever cared about me. The pain is so great, I feel I don’t deserve friendship or love. Along comes Bryce. We're kindred spirits. He's as damaged as I am. Out of our grief, something special begins to sprout, but our tendency to destroy anything good in our lives threatens the best thing that's ever happened to us. Only Bryce refuses to give up while I'm finding old habits die hard. Barricading my heart is easier than taking the risk of being hurt again.

What a match! With the eighth book in her Scoring Series hockey world Jami Davenport pours on the dysfunction like a rockstar when pairing conceited Bryce with snarky Tia and showcasing the wounded souls beneath the surface. The connection between the characters is quick and easy to become hooked on. I enjoyed their fast paced story and the emotional ups and downs they each had to confront. I’m enjoying this series a lot!

Bryce comes across as brash and cocky, but he’s a truly nice guy at heart. I enjoyed watching him give up some of the control he has had on his play and start to become a true team player.

Tia was much nicer than I was expected based on interaction in prior books in the series. She actually has good reason for her attitude and adjusts well as kindness begins to warm her soul.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance with a close knit group of teammates each falling for their one true love one guy at a time.