Archives for April 13, 2026

* Review * OFF THE RECORD by K E Osborn

April 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Off the Record by K E Osborn
Series: The Sunshine & Sparks Duet #2
on April 13, 2026
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Effa isn’t just the lead singer of Luminous—she’s the woman who rewired my heart and set fire to everything I thought I could control. And I’m Kaden ‘Mercs’ Mercury, the man who was never supposed to fall… especially not this hard.

Touring with Luminous was meant to be a job. A distraction. A paycheck.
Instead, it became everything.

Now the spotlight feels harsher. The stakes higher. And the consequences of loving her heavier than I ever imagined.

Everything is unraveling.
One catastrophe after another.
Mistakes I can’t take back.
The road ahead is darker than any stage I’ve ever lit.

But even when breathing feels impossible, the thought of a life without Effa is worse.
She makes it hard to breathe.
The question is—am I enough for her to choose me when everything falls apart?

The epic conclusion of Kaden and Effa’s love story! This book picks right up at the cliffhanger spot from the first book. We’re are quickly thrust back into the angst and trauma that is happening around them and along for the ride through fear, healing and change. Many of the secrets Kaden has been keeping to himself are revealed along with swift and stunning aftereffects. The characters and all of their supporting cast is really attention grabbing throughout this entire duet, and it’s filled with lots of angst, passion and love. I loved them as a whole and enjoyed their story throughout. There’s great sadness, hearty healing and emotional turmoil throughout. I recommend the duet to anyone who enjoys a rockstar romance with lots of heart and side stories that they have to deal with along the way.

Previously published as Breathe, Luminous Rock Duet #2

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THEO by Victoria Denault

April 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Theo by Victoria Denault
Series: Hockey Royalty #6
on April 17, 2026
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I don’t deserve a second chance at hockey, or a first chance with Lola. I’m taking both anyway.

Theo
It took falling off a roof and doing catastrophic damage to my family, my body and my career, but I’m sober —and want to stay that way. My future is bleak until, out of nowhere, I’m given a second chance to be a hockey player. Problem is, I don’t know how to be a sober hockey player. I don’t know how to do anything sober. The last thing I expected, on top of everything else, was to trauma-bond with Lola Casco, the beautiful sister of not one but two of my teammates.
Her bold smile, her sweet laugh, her sometimes brutal honesty – it’s apparently what turns on sober me. But good things aren’t meant for me, I don’t deserve them, and Lola is the best of the best. So I should walk away. Do I have the guts to do it?

Lola
I used to think I had the worst luck with men, but after the last guy, I’m beginning to think it’s not luck —it’s me. I attract all the wrong men… except Theo. He’s one of the good guys. So when he needs a little help getting his confidence back in the bedroom, I volunteer as tribute. This is just be a friend helping a friend —no strings. So why can’t I stop thinking about him? Can I get him to realize that he may not be perfect, but he’s perfect for me?

Emotionally addictive and oh so satisfying! If you’ve read Denault before, you will more than likely recognize some of the key players in this book. An intermix of the kids from some of hockey royalty from years past is always a great chance to get to see those players and spouses that you fell for years ago step in as the supporting or judgmental parent to the current hero/heroine. I always love a second gen story for that very reason. This particular story delves into Theo who bombed his life and finally had to realize he needed to get sober and pick up the pieces scattered around him in a healthier manner. The heroine Lola is closely connected to family and friends around him, so when he steps in to help her out of an awkward situation, it doesn’t take long for them to get cozy and allow fate to intervene with continual situations of throwing them into each other’s orbit. His storyline is powerful and while the author didn’t get super angsty and dark with her rendition of his recover, she did bring meetings into play often and kept it front and center as a part of his daily life. I walked away enjoying their story and feeling a connection with their love and healing. Great characters, well developed side stories and a sweet reconnection. Only thing missing was getting to see Pete go down!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance filled with family hockey dynasties, great player camaraderie and sexy as all get out love stories!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * SOMEONE TO KEEP by Michelle Major

April 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SOMEONE TO KEEP by Michelle Major

Someone To Keep by Michelle Major
Series: The Skylark Series #7
Published by Romilda House on April 16, 2026
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AVAH:

When I walked away from my abusive ex, the last person I expected to carry me out of the wreckage was my best friend's billionaire brother.

Jeremy Winslow might be brilliant at business, but he's terrible at people. Trust me, I've been on the receiving end of his arrogance since the day we met.

Only now he's looking at me like I'm worth saving even though I've stopped believing it. I'm stress baking my way through life one cinnamon roll at a time, and I don't need complications.

But the man who can't make small talk seems to know exactly what to say to tear down every wall I've built.

JEREMY:

Avah Harris is the first person who seems to want me for more than my money. I know the men in her life have let her down--her ex with his fists and her father with his lies. She has every reason to keep me at arm's length, and she's damn good at it.

But something changed when I carried her off that beach, and I can't stop showing up whenever she needs someone in her corner. I've never been good at taking no for an answer, especially from her.

Her secrets could blow us apart, but I don't care. If she gives me a chance, I'll spend every day proving I'm the man who deserves to keep her.

Someone To Keep is Book 6 in The Skylark Series. A steamy small-town standalone with a guaranteed HEA. Forced proximity, one bed, billionaire romance, he falls first, humor, heart, and a black cat heroine who finally meets her golden retriever match.

Just about everything we could want in a romance … and more! Avah’s snark has been a humorous highpoint of getting to know the ladies in the Skylark, Colorado book club. We all knew there was something wrong in that relationship she had … we just didn’t know exactly how it was all going to play out. I absolutely loved Avah and Jeremy and how they got together, but there were definitely some holes left that could have made for an even more powerful story … seeing her Dad get his, getting justice from the Jon situation, getting at least one angsty scene between he and his sis to see how they worked on getting to a better place in their relationship, etc. Did it take enough away from this happily ever after to dock it though, absolutely not … just could have made it even more powerful. Overall, great characters who both had emotional backstories, an easy connection in what should have been awkward and such a heartwarming take on seeing two people who deserve it the most work out into a beautiful relationship. Loved every minute of them! I cannot wait for Sloane’s story!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a small town romance with a set of characters who really catch your attention from the very beginning of the series and hold it throughout. A great sisterhood of friends who stumble upon the love of their lives along the way.

Filed Under: Book Reviews