May 2, 2025

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Nash by Victoria Denault
Series: Hockey Royalty #4
on April 22, 2025
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She’s gorgeous, smart, and the bane of my existence. She’s also my wife.

Tenley Garrison and I hate each other. Sure, she’s a leggy, blonde with a gorgeous smile and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, but she lives to push my buttons. One night in Vegas, I decide to push hers right back. Biggest mistake of my life.

Somehow, after too many margaritas and too many dares, we wake up in the same bed with a hazy memory of a wedding chapel. No surprise, we both want an annulment. Tenley is busy launching her career as a documentary filmmaker, and I’m busy with hockey playoffs. Neither of us wants a partner we like let alone one we can’t stand.

But when the media finds out, Tenley’s producers tell her they won’t make her sports documentary unless we’re in it, together. And my team makes it clear a divorce during playoffs is off the table. So we’re forced to shack up and fake a happy marriage.

When no one is looking, we’re pranking each other, insulting each other and making each other squirm. I refuse to turn down her ridiculous dares. If I did, Tenley would think she’s won, and I’m Nash Westwood, I never lose.

Except when the dares turn sexy, sparks fly, shocking us both. Maybe there really is a fine line between love and hate. But there’s no way I’m crossing that line with Tenley Garrison… am I? Oh crap.

This enemies to lovers hockey romance with a twist is so much fun! Victoria Denault is pouring on all the feels and angst with the fourth book in her Hockey Royalty series and I loved every single minute. We got to know both Nash and Tenley pretty well in the previous book in the series when his twin brother fell for her cousin, and this book picks up right where we left on in that one with a big bombshell. There’s humor and angst mixed up with a whole lot of mixed emotions as these supposed enemies who love to hate on one another find they also enjoy loving on one another a bit too much too. Loved them! Great characters, lots of drama and just the right amount of falling hard to make for an excellent happily ever after.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance that centers around a big boisterous family who loves hard and always welcomes newcomers to the fam as each sibling/cousin falls for their “one”.

* Review * CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW by Debra Webb

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Closer Than You Know by Debra Webb
Series: Vera Boyett #3
Published by Thomas & Mercer on May 6, 2025
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Vera Boyett is a master at cracking a case.

After tragedy destroyed her career as deputy police chief, she felt lost. Moving back home near her sisters, she put her skills back to use as a crime analyst, and now her star is finally back on the rise. Vera’s work really begins to heat up after the local sheriff, Gray “Bent” Benton, calls to ask her for assistance with a pressing case.

Pushing aside their complicated past, Vera agrees to help Bent search for a missing reporter. But their investigation uncovers an improbable connection to the Messenger, a serial killer she put behind bars twelve years ago. The killer, who is dying of cancer, wants his final revenge. And the reporter is merely a distraction—Vera is his true target.

When the Messenger pulls her sister Eve into his twisted game, Vera vows to stop him for good. But can she find Eve and the reporter before it’s too late?

Attention grabbing from start to finish! The second book in Debra Webb’s Vera Boyett series is just as addictive as the first with lots of twists that will leave the reader guessing. I really enjoy Vera and Bent and their connection. I wanted a little more backstory catch up from the first book, in particular what truly happened to ruin her career other than the little bit we get caught up on when her old friend Eric arrives in town. There are a ton of characters across this book, but for the most part it’s easy to keep things straight and not feel too overwhelmed. If that catch up between stories would be a little more developed, I think the series would be top notch. I’m looking forward to more to come from Vera!