Archives for October 2025

* Review * THROWN FOR A LOOP by Sarina Bowen

October 30, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THROWN FOR A LOOP by Sarina Bowen

Thrown for a Loop by Sarina Bowen
Series: New York Legends
Published by Forever on November 4, 2025
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Zoe Carson, former figure skating queen, needs a fresh start as a hockey skating coach. An NHL gig with the New York Legends is her big chance. Unfortunately, that means facing off against the star player who broke her heart ten years ago.

Chase Merritt knows his game is off, and he’s on the verge of losing sponsors. But he doesn’t need the ice princess from that intense college summer showing up and telling him what he’s doing wrong—even when she’s right.

On the ice, they’re magic. Off the ice, they’re nothing but heat and stubbornness, and everyone on the team is enjoying the show. But when an old video of Zoe and Chase’s figure skating routine goes viral, they’re forced to work together more intimately than ever before. Can the two get it right this time or will the whole world watch them crash and burn?

Heartfelt and emotional! With a reunion a decade in the making, we get to know New York Legends hockey star Chase Merritt and former Olympic figure skater Zoe Carson. I’ll be the first to admit that I sincerely dislike storylines that go back and forth between present time and the past and this one was particularly bad in that fashion because pretty much every other chapter was now and a decade ago, so I’ll admit I had to grit my teeth a tad throughout the majority of the book … BUT … I was so invested in Zoe and Chase that I overlooked it and enjoyed them wholeheartedly. Teen angst led to a summer they will never forget and meeting again after all this time is really emotional for both of them. I enjoyed their connection and their ability to hear the other side out eventually. The current storyline was intriguing and introduced several guys on the team that I really enjoyed getting to know. I was invested in their story from start to finish and loved their happily ever after.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * COLLIDING by Jami Davenport

October 30, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Colliding by Jami Davenport
Series: Portland Icehawks #7
Published by Cedrona Enterprises LLC on October 30, 2025
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He's fire, and she's ice. He's affable, and she's prickly. He's at the pinnacle of his career, and she's struggling to get there. The one thing they have in common--a mutual hatred for each other.

Drakos Lenkov, one of the premier forwards in the league, parties hard and plays harder. But his wings are about to be clipped, and he's met his match. The Icehawks are vying for a playoff spot, and he can’t afford distractions, yet a certain reporter’s constant criticism is getting under his skin and affecting his game.

Aria Reed is an ambitious sports reporter known for her ruthlessness. Her attacks on Drakos are relentless and appear unprovoked but Aria has her reasons and an explosive secret that she can never reveal without betraying her dead sister’s final request.

Fast paced and endearing! The next book in Davenport’s Portland Icehawks series brings us Drakos Lenkov’s story and it’s a doozy. For months sports reporter Aria Reed has been badmouthing him in her articles and he’s not sure why. It’s obviously personal, but he’s never even met her. Secrets are soon revealed that blow his mind and he’s forced to interact with his mortal enemy. Close contact makes them admit their attraction and soon they are cozying up and addressing life together. I enjoyed the characters a lot and was invested in their story. I think there were some holes here and there, but nothing drastic and though I wanted slightly more than the rushed feeling to the ending, I thoroughly enjoyed their story. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to hockey romance who love a team with a tight brotherhood that supports each other through thick and thin.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * GRADY by Victoria Denault

October 30, 2025 Leave a Comment

Grady by Victoria Denault
Series: Hockey Royalty #5
on October 29, 2025
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Traded. With my crush. What could go wrong?

Getting traded always sucks. The silver lining this time is that I’ve been traded to the Riptide, near my hometown, with my teammate —and secret crush—Landon Casco.

Landon's the son of the goalie I idolized growing up. He’s also smoking hot and never fails to make me laugh. The only problem? He has a serious girlfriend. But even if he was bi or gay, I wouldn’t do anything about it. I'm deep in the closet.

On our first night in our new city, Landon’s a mess. It’s his first time being traded, his first full season back in the league after beating cancer, and his relationship is rocky at best. Trying to be a good friend and ease the tension, I take him and his girlfriend Angela out. I planned on a few beers and maybe a game of pool, not a threesome. But that’s where we end up.

Now Angela’s ghosted Landon, and he’s acting like we’re barely friends, but I’m crushing even harder. Luckily I have a back-up goalie eager to steal my title as starter and family members popping by uninvited every day to distract me.

When Angela shows back up pregnant, Landon and I have to stop pretending that night never happened. It's time to face our fears, our demons, and each other. It turns out, there’s a lot more than the possibility of parenthood that we need to figure out.

Tumultuous and attention grabbing! Must be okay with M/M/F and M/M relationships to enjoy! The next book in Victoria Denault’s Hockey Royalty series is easy to sink your teeth into with amazingly relatable characters, forbidden love, and lots of drama all the way around. Grady and Landon are both super easy to like and sympathize with and the angst they feel is really emotional. I loved the characters, loved the love triangle/closeted issues they had to deal with and most of all loved their happily ever after! I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who really enjoys a second gen hockey romance where we get to catch glimpses of past characters later in life when their kids and siblings are now settling into love.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * PLAYING WITH TROUBLE by Erika Wilde

October 28, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PLAYING WITH TROUBLE by Erika Wilde

Playing with Trouble by Erika Wilde
Series: Players Club Sinners #2
on October 28, 2025
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Goodreads

One scorching look. One sinful night. One man who ruined me for anyone else.

I wasn’t looking for anything more than a night at The Players Club to forget my troubles. But then Ford Perish crashed into my life with a body made for sin and a smoldering stare that promised things no man ever dared to offer me.

When trouble at work turned into a full-blown threat, Ford became more than a temptation. He became my full-time bodyguard. My living, breathing, test of control. Living under the same roof as this infuriating man was delicious torture. He invaded my space, my mind, and my body until there was no part of me he didn’t own.

The danger closing in was real, but nothing terrified me more than the way Ford touched the places inside of me I swore no man would ever reach. He didn’t ask me to be perfect. He didn’t try to fix me. He wanted the real me—the troublemaker, the survivor, the woman who needed a man strong enough to break down her walls without breaking her spirit.

In the end, it wasn’t the threats that wrecked me—it was him. And somewhere between the danger and the desire I found the kind of love that didn’t hurt, but healed.

A sinful connection … just when she needs it the most! The second book in Erika Wilde’s Players Club Sinners series is deliciously addictive! There’s a sizzling hot connection, lust at first sight and an angsty bit of danger that brings the main characters closer than ever. Ford and Violet are well developed with both having a support cast behind them that are familiar from the previous book in the series. There’s tons of chemistry, heated hook ups and enough danger and suspense thrown in to keep you reading page after page. I loved every minute of their book and cannot wait for more to come in the series. Lots of drama, sincere friendships and family and a steamy love affair! I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the series to anyone who enjoys a sizzling romance with trips to a steamy sex club, decadent bouts of kink and a sweet love story to boot.

PLAYING WITH TROUBLE
Erika Wilde
Release Date: October 28

Blurb:

One scorching look. One sinful night. One man who ruined me for anyone else.

I wasn’t looking for anything more than a night at The Players Club to forget my troubles. But then Ford Perish crashed into my life with a body made for sin and a smoldering stare that promised things no man ever dared to offer me.

When trouble at work turned into a full-blown threat, Ford became more than a temptation. He became my full-time bodyguard. My living, breathing, test of control. Living under the same roof as this infuriating man was delicious torture. He invaded my space, my mind, and my body until there was no part of me he didn’t own.

The danger closing in was real, but nothing terrified me more than the way Ford touched the places inside of me I swore no man would ever reach. He didn’t ask me to be perfect. He didn’t try to fix me. He wanted the real me—the troublemaker, the survivor, the woman who needed a man strong enough to break down her walls without breaking her spirit.

In the end, it wasn’t the threats that wrecked me—it was him. And somewhere between the danger and the desire I found the kind of love that didn’t hurt, but healed.

Playing with Trouble is a steamy, enemies to lovers romance featuring a possessive hero, rebellious heroine, and a collision of hearts that leave them both reeling from a love they never saw coming.

Buy Link:

https://geni.us/PlayingwithTrouble

Meet Erika Wilde:

Erika Wilde is a New York Times Bestselling author. She is best known for her super sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series, and has also co-written the Dirty Sexy Series and the Book Boyfriend Series with Carly Phillips, her best friend and writing buddy for the past twenty years. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit website at www.erikawilde.com and sign up to receive my newsletter for updates and news!

Want to interact with me personally? You can do so at my Erika Wilde Author Fan Page on Facebook. www.facebook.com/erikawildeauthorfanpage

Connect with Erika Wilde:

https://linktr.ee/erikawildeauthor

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * OATHBREAKER by Kat Mizera and Elise Faber

October 27, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * OATHBREAKER by Kat Mizera and Elise Faber

Oathbreaker by Kat Mizera, Elise Faber
Series: Gamebreakers #5
on October 27, 2025
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Goodreads

She was never supposed to be mine.
Walking away was the only acceptable decision.
It was just one night. Two lonely souls finding solace in the one place we shouldn’t have—my bed.
I thought once would be enough, but leaving her is my biggest—maybe my only—regret.
Now, I’m back and seeing the results of that night is killing me.
I’ll make it up to her. I have to. Because I’ve never loved anyone else.
Because I’d rather die than break her heart a second time.
But when duty calls, I swore an oath to listen.
And I know…
There will be no coming back this time.

The conclusion we never expected! The final book in the Gamebreakers series by Kat Mizera and Elise Faber kicks off with a major shock and pours on the emotions galore! Readers who are following along with this series had a small cliffhanger moment at the end of the previous book when something was revealed that shocked us all. This book picks up there. We go through so many emotions with all of the core characters of the series as hearts ache with both goodness and hurt. Adorable little Frankie is a bright light and an addition of humor to a fairly serious storyline. I was very satisfied with how the resolution played out and enjoyed this series as a whole so much. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a close knit group of besties that support each other through thick and thin as each finds their forever love.

OATHBREAKER

Kat Mizera & Elise Faber

Release Date: October 27

She was never supposed to be mine. Walking away was the only acceptable decision.

It was just one night. Two lonely souls finding solace in the one place we shouldn’t have—my bed. I thought once would be enough, but leaving her is my biggest—maybe my only—regret.

Now, I’m back and seeing the results of that night is killing me.

I’ll make it up to her. I have to. Because I’ve never loved anyone else.

Because I’d rather die than break her heart a second time.

But when duty calls, I swore an oath to listen.

And I know…

There will be no coming back this time.

Grab Your Copy!

https://geni.us/OathbreakerEFKM

Meet Kat Mizera:

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She’s lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach.

Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she’s penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.

To find out about Kat Mizera’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Kat Mizera and her books visit: https://katmizera.com/

Connect with Kat Mizera:

https://katmizera.com/pages/contact-kat

Meet Elise Faber:

USA TODAY bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team—the Sharks!—are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is the mom to two exuberant boys. She lives in Northern California.

To find out about Elise Faber’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Elise Faber and her books visit: https://www.elisefaber.com/

Connect with Elise Faber:

https://www.elisefaber.com/contact

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* Review * SECOND CHANCE UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Kandy Shepherd

October 26, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Second Chance Under the Mistletoe by Kandy Shepherd
Series: Family Reunion in London #1
Published by Harlequin Romance on October 28, 2025
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Goodreads

’TIS THE SEASON—TO REKINDLE?

Natalie is having a nightmare Christmas. Her daughter, Clem, has invited her dad over from Australia—and Natalie hasn’t seen her ex, tycoon Jon, for twenty-two years! They agree for the sake of their daughter to pretend to be the perfect family, but Natalie soon discovers the spark between them never died! After two decades of hurt, can she risk her heart for a second chance—or is this festive fling just for the holidays?

A heartfelt reunion of first loves! The first book in the Family Reunion in London duet is bringing Natalie and Jonathan back together for the holidays at the insistence of their grown daughter. Hard feelings are thrown into the mix as they flesh out all of their own wrongs and learn to forgive and heal. Along the way, they begin to realize their feelings are still strong for each other and things take a quick turn. The characters were decently developed with a few holes here and there, but nothing that really discouraged me from enjoying their story. Their ending however was really fast paced and abrupt with minimal details given of what happens in the tail end of the story with their daughter. I would have liked a more complete wrap up to send them off on a happily ever after. I know the 2nd part of the duet is their daughters story, but I still think we could have been told a few basic details. Regardless, I was entertained throughout and enjoyed them all as a whole.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * VICTORIOUS: PART 3 by K E Osborn

October 20, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Victorious: Part 3 by K E Osborn
Series: LA Defiance MC #7
on October 20, 2025
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Everything has been leading to this.
All that we’ve fought for has been for this very moment.
The Rojas Cartel is making their final move.
And now it’s time for Defiance to answer.

The heart of the Cartel conspiracy reaches into the highest levels of government. Women are being used like lab rats, children stolen and trained as weapons, and an empire of suffering built on their broken bodies. This isn’t just about the trauma the Rojas empire built on my personal suffering. This is about every soul they’ve destroyed.

The Defiance offense will cost us everything we have to give.
I don’t know if all of us will make it home.

But we’re not going in alone. Stealthy figures with deadly skills are emerging from the darkness, and old alliances are being called upon. When the dust settles, either the Cartel’s reign of terror ends forever, or Defiance will crumble trying to stop them.

I’ve been fighting this Cartel since they stole my daughter from me. They took my ex-wife, and they’re trying to infiltrate something much bigger than I can even comprehend. It was personal, but now they’re making this monumental. But there’s a reason my club is called Defiance, and this Cartel is about to find out why.

The long-awaited conclusion to the LA Defiance MC series is frought with tension, and is highly emotional! Osborn is doing her MC family proud as she sends them off in glory and let’s us see a glimpse of what their lives went on to be in the end. The characters and setting is well developed if you’ve been reading along with the series and the cumulation of the cartel take down is action packed. Secrets continue to be uncovered and lives are twisted up in revenge. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the family they created throughout the years and the heartfelt friendship they endured. I plan to go back and catch up on the other legs of the Defiance club that I haven’t read yet. I highly recommend this series to MC fans who love to see the gritty life with lots of happily ever afters as life continues turning them upside down.

Title: Victorious: Part 3

Series: LA Defiance MC #7

Author: K E Osborn

Genre: MC Romance

Tropes: Trauma Bonding/Road Trip/Slow Burn

Forbidden Attraction/Redemption Arc

Tragic Past/Alpha Hero/Angsty/Assassins

Release Date: October 20, 2025

BLURB

Everything has been leading to this.

All that we’ve fought for has been for this very moment.

The Rojas Cartel is making their final move.

And now it’s time for Defiance to answer.

The heart of the Cartel conspiracy reaches into the highest levels of government. Women are being used like lab rats, children stolen and trained as weapons, and an empire of suffering built on their broken bodies. This isn’t just about the trauma the Rojas empire built on my personal suffering. This is about every soul they’ve destroyed.

The Defiance offense will cost us everything we have to give.

I don’t know if all of us will make it home.

But we’re not going in alone. Stealthy figures with deadly skills are emerging from the darkness, and old alliances are being called upon. When the dust settles, either the Cartel’s reign of terror ends forever, or Defiance will crumble trying to stop them.

I’ve been fighting this Cartel since they stole my daughter from me. They took my ex-wife, and they’re trying to infiltrate something much bigger than I can even comprehend. It was personal, but now they’re making this monumental. But there’s a reason my club is called Defiance, and this Cartel is about to find out why.

From USA Today Bestselling Author K E Osborn comes the explosive final book in the LA Defiance MC Series.

This is a high-intensity, found family romance featuring government conspiracies, underground operations, and the ultimate fight for freedom. This is the final part of the Victorious trilogy and the epic conclusion to the LA Defiance MC Series.

GOODREADS

BOOKBUB

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL

All free in Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

UNIVERSAL

Free in Kindle Unlimited

AUTHOR BIO

With a flair for all things creative, USA Today Bestselling Author K E Osborn, is drawn to the written word. Exciting worlds and characters flow through her veins, coming to life on the page as she laughs, cries, and becomes enveloped in the storyline right along with you. She’s entirely at home when writing sassy heroines and alpha males that rise from the ashes of their pasts.

K E Osborn comforts herself with tea and Netflix, after all, who doesn’t love a good binge?

Explosive. Addictive. Romance. at www.keosbornauthor.com

AUTHOR LINKS

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK GROUP

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AMAZON

NEWSLETTER

TIKTOK

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * COWBOY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE by Maisey Yates

October 19, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Cowboy, It's Cold Outside by Maisey Yates
Series: Four Corners Ranch #12
Published by Canary Street Press Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

A favor owed. An Off-limits romance. Four Corners is in for the hottest Christmas it's ever seen.

Sheena Patrick has done well, all things considered. After her father’s death, she raised her sisters and did all she could to give them the best life possible. But they’re grown and gone now and Sheena is ready to do something for herself. But to accomplish her goals she needs Denver King.

Denver owes Sheena. He spent years watching from afar and making sure she was all right after his father’s illegal activities caused her father's death. So when Sheena rolls up to the ranch looking to call in the favor he promised, Denver can’t say no. He’ll help her get her axe-throwing bar up and running by Christmas, and consider his debt square. But as the snow falls, sparks fly between the two black sheep of Pyrite Falls. They might be all wrong for everyone else, but are they just right for each other?

The highly emotional finale to the Four Corners Ranch series! Yates has laid a lot of groundwork all along the way for this series, so it’s going to be much more enjoyable if read in order. Each family has a group of siblings that have found their loves along the way and settled into ranching and more as they each come up with new innovative ideas for the area. This final book is Denver King’s turn to find love with local Sheena Patrick. We learn from the start how he’s tied to her and what she thinks about the whole thing. She’s been raising her little sisters and finally has an empty nest and plans of how she’s going to advance herself, but Denver has to play a part if she can get him to agree. If you’ve been reading the series, you’ll recognize the ranch and the key players around town and already have a developed feel for the area and what has already been going on. If you haven’t been following the series, you will probably feel that this book is lacking. I really enjoyed watching Denver and Sheena fall in love and seeing her sisters and his sibs take part in their journey. I was all in and happy with the ending. The touch of getting to know a little about how they all are in the end is a sweet touch as well. Loved this series!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * IF YOU WERE MINE by Carrie Ann Ryan

October 19, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

If You Were Mine by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: The Cage Family #3
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on October 27, 2025
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

The last words I said to my best friend were “I trust you”. Then the world went dark, and I nearly lost everything.

While my best friend’s little sister lost even more.

I promised him that I’d take care of her—but if he knew my current thoughts when it came to Harper, he’d have never trusted me.

She’s too young for me. Too bright to my shadows. And too tempting.

Now I’m stuck in our small town, and I can’t escape her. I’d rather hide in my cabin, restoring what was once lost. Only Harper won’t let me.

I’ve already held onto more secrets than my family knows. I don’t know if I can keep what I feel about her secret too.

She sees beyond my scars and anger, and I know she hides her own just as tightly.

When one kiss changes everything, there’s no going back—even if it shatters everything in our wake.

Highly addictive with such a sweet side! Carrie Ann Ryan is really turning it up for her Cage Family series. These two groups of siblings were brought together when their father died and a second family was thrust into the forefront and discovered by the first family. Now a slew of brothers and sisters are connecting and getting to know one another despite the drama their father left saddling them and they are really starting to enjoy each other. I love the friendships they are developing amongst themselves.

Dorian is the hero in this book and he starts the book off with a bang that throws him into a turmoil he never expected. His situation is well developed and eventually he pulls himself together and heads Harper’s way to reconnect with her and try to heal. Harper is a sweetheart and I loved every single minute of her. She’s been dealt more blows than one should have to be, yet she continues to shine and love with her whole heart. I adore her!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a bit of drama mixed into a family centric plot as one sibling after another finds their true love. Dorian and Harper were great!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * STOLEN PREGNANT BRIDE by Annie West

October 19, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Stolen Pregnant Bride by Annie West
Published by Harlequin Presents on October 28, 2025
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

“You can’t marry her. She’s mine.”

And she’s having his heir!

On Stella White’s wedding day, she’d rather be anywhere else. However, the on-paper union gives the secret she’s carrying much-needed security. Or it would, if Gio Valenti—her father’s enemy and the billionaire whose sizzling touch haunts her—wasn’t stealing her from the altar!

Gio refuses to relinquish the woman he craves. Especially when she’s pregnant with his baby! Still, Stella’s family is responsible for destroying his, so he’s torn between distrusting her and desiring her. Now Gio has nine months to decide once and for all…

High intensity emotion from start to finish! Annie West always delights with her top notch characters and she doesn’t disappoint with this surprise baby reunion! Stella is a sweetheart and finds herself torn between multiple notions of what’s going to be her journey in life. Gio is a tad ruthless, but only in the kindhearted kind of way unless justly deserved. They have an instant connection, but life leads them astray until he comes for her as she’s about to marry another. The characters are well developed and their connection takes them far in learning if they can be together in order to shelter the life they jointly created. I loved them both in different ways and the only thing I wanted more of was seeing them settled, in love and together for longer at the end once all of their differences were ironed out. Really enjoyed them!