February 24, 2025

* Review * PIECES OF ME by Carrie Ann Ryan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Pieces of Me by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: The Wilder Brothers #9
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on February 24, 2025
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Gabriel Wilder.
Rock God.
Voice of an angel.
And in love with his best friend’s sister.
Resisting Briar Ashford has been one of the hardest things he’s ever done.
Until the one night he breaks his promise.
Only when tragedy strikes, forgiveness slips through his fingers.

Briar Ashford never let herself fall for her brother’s best friend.
Until the night she did.
She wanted to live in the shadows, writing the songs for the stars who shined the brightest—not finding a way to co-parent with the man who refuses to pick up his guitar again.

The world is waiting for Gabriel Wilder to rise from the ashes. Only, first, he’ll have to figure out if he’s ready to finally let himself love the one woman who never knew had a claim to his heart all along.

**Pieces of Me is a rockstar, best friend’s little sister, accidental pregnancy romance in the Wilder Brothers series featuring Gabriel and Briar. Each one can be read as a complete standalone. A HEA is guaranteed!**

A highly emotional, heart-wrenching delight! When we got to the end of the original cast that made up the Wilder Brothers, I thought it couldn’t get any better … but the cousins that are joining the family just keep bringing more depth to the series and I’m loving every second of it. Gabriel’s story is powerful and carries a heavy weight into the family circle that brings a turmoil we haven’t dealt with on scene before. Seeing the transformation in him when he reconnects with Briar and the circumstances that life dealt them brings for a really poignant and heartfelt story. The characters and their relationship setup is quick to catch the reader’s attention, the pain and drama that follows is heartbreaking, but the healing and making their way through the fog is really heartwarming. I loved every minute of their story and can’t wait to see the family again.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a wounded heart that rallies through life’s downtrodden times to heal and prosper when true love steps into it’s path. Great characters and a strong family support system along the way.

* Review * PLAYOFF by Kat Mizera

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Playoff by Kat Mizera
Series: L.A. Phantoms #4
on February 20, 2025
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Turning thirty shouldn’t be a big deal—unless you’re a minor league hockey player starting to realize the big leagues might never call. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

But then, out of nowhere, I get my shot. The L.A. Phantoms are in the playoffs for the first time in decades, and with their roster decimated by injuries, they call me up.

I’m ready to warm the bench, but with a solid season behind me, they’re willing to give me some ice time. This is the chance of a lifetime. Until she walks in.

My first love. The one I never forgot.

But dating her could risk everything we’ve both worked for.

How are we supposed to choose between the future we’ve dreamed of and the past we never let go of?

Exciting from start to finish! Mizera’s hockey stories are always fun and exciting, but this one started off with some unexpected turmoil that really caught my attention and set the stage for an eventful read. I enjoyed this forbidden reunion of first loves story and all that it entailed. I wanted a smidge more once they were all out in the open to get to enjoy them more in their friend filled setting, but overall this was a very solid read and I highly enjoyed Rowan and Blake’s story! Detailed setting, well developed back stories and good follow through.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a fast paced hockey romance with a tight knit group of teammates and friends who are always there through good and bad as each finds their forever love.