Archives for July 2025

* Review * ENDLESSLY YOURS by Carrie Ann Ryan

July 22, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ENDLESSLY YOURS by Carrie Ann Ryan

Endlessly Yours by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: The Wilder Brothers #10
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on July 21, 2025
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Four years ago, I promised my dying wife that I’d do one thing: I’d move on.

And I knew as I took that oath, I would break it.

Then I saw Rory. The woman I’d met on one of my darkest nights, and the woman I can’t ignore. Our one night is a secret we swore we’d never tell.

When I see her, I see a glimpse of what could be in the fire in her eyes.

When she sees me, she sees the grumpy, annoying Wilder brother who could shatter her dreams and her heart.

With one stolen kiss, we both know we have a choice: to keep running or finally give in.

Only when she suddenly finds herself the guardian to her two nieces, the world crumbles around us once again. She needs to protect her family, and I know I can’t let her do it alone.

The pull between us refuses to go away, but now I’ll have to choose which promise to break. And if I’m strong enough to be the final Wilder to fall.

A heartfelt and emotional conclusion to the amazing Wilder Brothers series! Carrie Ann Ryan has been tugging on our heartstrings throughout this entire series as we have focused on siblings and cousins settling into a family business after returning from serving their countries and picking up the pieces of life as they each found their forever love and started families, businesses, etc. This particular book brings heartache to the forefront right from the start because it’s Brooks … and he lost the love of his life four years ago to cancer. I was hooked before it even began, and getting to know the depth of the love and grief Brooks carries with him on a daily basis is pivotal in understanding the torture he feels when he might see moving on in his future. Ryan did a great job of showing his love from the past and interweaving it with his love moving forward. The characters are dramatic and endearing, the setting is emotional yet peaceful and the tension is top notch as lust and love begin to walk hand and hand. Great job of weaving the entire extended family into the plot to let us visit with all of our old favs one last time. Loved this book and the entire series wholeheartedly and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a family centric cast of characters who love hard and sacrifice themselves for others on the regular.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * PENN by Sawyer Bennett

July 15, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * PENN by Sawyer Bennett

Penn by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Pittsburgh Titans #17
Published by Big Dog Books on July 15, 2025
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Penn Navarro is the best player in the league—unstoppable on the ice, untouchable off it. But the moment the game ends, so do the celebrations. Because no amount of goals, no number of wins, can silence the demons that haunt him.

Hockey is my life. It’s what I was born to do. That’s not ego talking, just fact—I’ve spent years honing my skills, earning my place among the elite. But talent doesn’t erase my mistakes, and no amount of success will make me forget the damage I’ve done. It’s why I keep my distance from my teammates, because if you never let anyone in, you’ll never get hurt. Or those are the lies that I tell myself.

Mila Brennan represents the darkest parts of my history. She’s a ghost I’ve tried to bury, the reminder of everything I’ve lost. When she shows up in Pittsburgh looking for me, I know nothing good will come of it, because our sins don’t stay forgotten. They fester, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and Mila’s arrival means my time is up.

The past isn’t just knocking at my door—it’s kicking it down, crumbling all the walls I’ve built around myself in the process. And when the danger comes for us both, I’m forced to do the one thing I swore I never would. Let her in.

Emotional secrets unveiled! Fans of Bennett’s Pittsburgh Titans hockey romance series have been wondering for quite awhile now what makes Penn Navarro tick and why he holds himself back from being a part of the team camaraderie. This book details his past and what secrets he’s held close as he reluctantly reconnects with a piece of that past and sets out to keep her safe. Emotions are high throughout the entire story and seeing Penn actually make connections is really heartwarming. I loved seeing him open up and truly feel for the first time on the pages.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys reading a really close knit group of hockey players and friends as they each wade through life until falling for “the one”.

PENN
Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: July 15

Meet Sawyer Bennett:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer Bennett:

https://geni.us/SawyerBennett

Blurb:

Penn Navarro is the best player in the league—unstoppable on the ice, untouchable off it. But the moment the game ends, so do the celebrations. Because no amount of goals, no number of wins, can silence the demons that haunt him.

Hockey is my life. It’s what I was born to do. That’s not ego talking, just fact—I’ve spent years honing my skills, earning my place among the elite. But talent doesn’t erase my mistakes, and no amount of success will make me forget the damage I’ve done. It’s why I keep my distance from my teammates, because if you never let anyone in, you’ll never get hurt. Or those are the lies that I tell myself.

Mila Brennan represents the darkest parts of my history. She’s a ghost I’ve tried to bury, the reminder of everything I’ve lost. When she shows up in Pittsburgh looking for me, I know nothing good will come of it, because our sins don’t stay forgotten. They fester, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and Mila’s arrival means my time is up.

The past isn’t just knocking at my door—it’s kicking it down, crumbling all the walls I’ve built around myself in the process. And when the danger comes for us both, I’m forced to do the one thing I swore I never would. Let her in.

Buy Link:

https://geni.us/SB-Penn

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * SWEET THING by Kate Meader

July 13, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Sweet Thing by Kate Meader
Series: Chicago Players #1
Published by Kate Meader LLC on July 15, 2025
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My dad's teammate needs a nanny and I need a job. Sounds perfect, right? Except for my massive crush on him ... the one he knows all about.

Lars

I just found out I’m a dad.

My one-night stand dropped a baby bombshell in my local bar where I was celebrating my team’s win. Then she fled, leaving me holding my new daughter.

Thank God for Adeline. The daughter of my teammate and closest friend on the Chicago Rebels, she practically raised her little sister and knows exactly how to deal with this situation. I need a nanny; she needs a job. Problem sorted, right?

Not so fast …

Adeline

I think you’re the sexiest guy alive.

That’s what Lars Nyquist overheard me say while recounting my embarrassing crush on him. Yeah, that Lars Nyquist. Defenseman for the Chicago Rebels. Owner of the thickest thighs in the league. More than a decade my senior. Oh, and my dad’s teammate.

My only option? Leave the country, of course. Luckily, I’d already planned a round-the-world trip with my bestie and by the time I returned to Chicago a year later, I expected my blunder would be long forgotten. Shows what I know. Now I’m lying awake in the bedroom next to his while playing nanny to his surprise little girl. But I can ignore this stupid infatuation. I have to. Even though the sight of Lars learning to be a dad leaves me breathless and takes that crush to a whole other level.

One that has the potential to break my sorry little heart …

There’s nothing quite like seeing an old fan favorite in a different setting! Kate Meader stole many a reader’s heart when Theo Kershaw walked onto the pages of her previous hockey series. He’s fun, he’s over the top and he’s genuinely a good guy. This book kicks off a brand new Chicago Players spin-off series and Theo’s daughter Adeline is the heroine! We get to see how life played out for Theo, his wife Elle and their kiddos and even good ol’ Aurora! I loved every single minute of it!

Lars was befriended by Theo and brought into the family fold as his teammate and best friend. Now he’s making waves by becoming an instant dad … and having chemistry with Theo’s daughter, the temporary nanny. Uh oh!

Great character connections, lots of emotional turmoil and drama to sift through and so much steamy goodness! I highly recommend this book to hockey fans!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * SHADOW ON HER GRAVE by B.R. Spangler

July 13, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SHADOW ON HER GRAVE by B.R. Spangler

Shadow on Her Grave by B.R. Spangler
Series: Detective Casey White #13
Published by Bookouture on July 18, 2025
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The beads of saltwater caught on her cracked lips glitter in the moonlight, her long brown hair floating in the tide. But this beautiful girl is lost forever. And Casey’s biggest fears are realised. Someone is copying the worst of her previous cases: following her like a shadow. And they’ll stop at nothing to make sure she pays for her own mistakes…

As her soon-to-be-husband, Jericho Flynn, goes back to work as town sheriff, Detective Casey White is left juggling her work alongside her growing family. And when a spate of troubling murders hit the Outer Banks, the happy couple are stopped in their tracks…

Casey is called to a crime scene with eerie echoes to a killing she solved years ago. A young woman has been anchored to a boulder and drowned, just like in the Saltwater Graves murders.

Then a handwritten poem is delivered to Casey at the station. She immediately recognises the writing as that of a previous victim she couldn’t save. The killer is pointing them to yet another crime scene from Casey’s past. Only someone with knowledge of the original cases could recreate these murders with terrible accuracy. And the only link is Casey herself.

The team chase the lead to a now-derelict beach house, way out on an abandoned island. Casey is totally devastated when they discover the lifeless body of Jericho’s late wife, Jessie Flynn, posed in one of the upstairs rooms.

This is her most personal challenge yet. As they chase down a killer that could be closer than they ever imagined, will Casey and Jericho both make it out alive?

Fast paced and chillingly addictive! Fans of Detective Casey White will be thrilled to be reconnecting with Casey and her sidekicks as danger comes knocking close to home when a new case stirs up memories of past cases one after another. This series is always wrought with tension and danger and is highly entertaining as we try to piece together who is doing what. I love Casey and Jericho and can’t wait to see what the future holds. Tracy/Hannah is getting on my nerves with the games she keeps playing with Casey, hopefully one day soon she will straighten up and appreciate what she has. This particular plot was exciting and emotional at the same time. I highly recommend this series as a whole to anyone who enjoys a thriller with a great core group of investigators.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * ENEMIES TO LOVERS by Lani Lynn Vale

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ENEMIES TO LOVERS by Lani Lynn Vale

Enemies to Lovers by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Content Advisory #3
on July 8, 2025
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Baker Ritter knew how to pick them.

She met the man she thought she was going to marry in middle school, gave him some of the best years of her life, for him to leave her pregnant and alone hours before she’s due to have his baby.

To make matters worse, he brings his side chick to the birth, and she’s left with a decision—fight for what she wants, or cut her losses.

What she should’ve done was cut her losses. What she does instead is take him back and experiences what it’s like to live in hell.

When she’s at the lowest of the low, she calls her dad, an ex-con, who sends the one person he knows that can fix it all.
Copper Clayborne.

***

Copper Clayborne has no time for nonsense—that nonsense being a woman and a baby.

But that woman’s dad saved his life in prison and kept saving it until he was strong enough to save himself.

He owes everything to Baker’s dad, so of course he says yes when he asks to let Baker move in with him.

That doesn’t mean that he has to have anything to do with her.

He’s got a business to fix—then bring down in the most fantastic, public way possible.

He’s also got years of celibacy to make up for.

He doesn’t have time to fall for the woman and her kid.

He certainly doesn’t have the mental headspace to deal with her drama.

He gives it his all, but Baker wiggles into his cracked and bleeding heart, and makes herself right at home. Whether he wants her there or not.

Highly emotional and super satisfying! The third book in Lani Lynn Vale’s Content Advisory series is the Clayborne we’ve all been waiting for … Copper is re-establishing his life after prison and finds love when he least expects it … or wants it! Baker is a new mom, suffering a life of hell and just so happens to be the daughter of the man who continually kept Copper safe in prison. He might not be emotionally ready to have a weary woman thrust upon him, but there’s no way he can turn his back when his friend needs his help. Meant to be a temporary reprieve for a broken heart and body, his house turns into a home when Baker and her son Holt breathe life into it. Their story is filled with emotion, danger and intrigue as they fight their way towards forever with each other. I highly recommend this book as well as the rest of the series!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * ILLICIT ITALIAN NIGHTS by Melanie Milburne

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ILLICIT ITALIAN NIGHTS by Melanie Milburne

Illicit Italian Nights by Melanie Milburne
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 1, 2025
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She’s off-limits…
And the Italian is unraveling!

When her baby niece needs her, Addison Featherstone has no choice but to turn to Ludovic Jacobetti for help. Not only is he the infant’s godfather; his private jet can take them to Italy. There’s just one complication: playboy Vic has long been the object of innocent Addie’s deepest desires…

As his friend’s sister, Addie is entirely forbidden to Vic. Yet when they're alone in Lake Como, he’s forced to acknowledge she’s more alluring than he’s ever allowed himself to notice… And once the sun sets, their chemistry doesn’t simply become intoxicating—it’s irresistible!

Fast paced and addictive! I was quickly hooked on Addie and Vic’s love story. They were introduced by the marriage of their siblings to each other and then reunited when a travel snafu leaves their adorable toddler niece needing them to fill in quickly until her parents can make it home. Addie is shy and awkward but crushing on him, so when opportunity knocks she agrees to a fling … only close quarters allow her love to blossom and she must quickly end their interlude or risk embarrassing herself. I loved their connection with each other and how much they enjoyed their time with their niece. Their storyline moved quickly and in reality we didn’t get nearly enough time with them as a couple, but they were so intriguing that I simply loved them anyway.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE COWBOY’S BABY SURPRISE by Lisa Childs

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE COWBOY’S BABY SURPRISE by Lisa Childs

The Cowboy's Baby Surprise by Lisa Childs
Series: Bachelor Cowboys #1
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on July 1, 2025
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A baby found in the barn means…

An instant cowboy dad!

When a baby is abandoned on the Four Corners Ranch, CPS investigator Elise Shaw drops everything to find the parents. She can’t understand why Liam Lemmon, the bachelor cowboy who found the child, first denies being her father, then claims her as his own! Elise visits the Wyoming ranch regularly to check up on them and soon starts to feel like part of the family. But her heart is getting too involved with the case…and with Liam. And when she learns the cowboy’s secret, will she be forced to take away the child they’ve both come to love?

Adorably sweet and filled with emotion! Lisa Childs is kicking off a brand new Bachelor Cowboys series with a bang as hunky Liam Lemmon finds himself falling hard for the baby he finds abandoned in the barn on his family ranch. When CPS investigator Elise Shaw steps into the picture she’s drawn to this mysterious cowboy who denied paternity but then stepped up and let this sweet baby girl wrap him around her finger. The plot is intriguing and the characters are well developed and easy to like. I was rooting for them to get together from the start and once the baby drama plays out, I’m thrilled with the outcome. Great story!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * QUEEN BY ROYAL COMMAND by Annie West

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * QUEEN BY ROYAL COMMAND by Annie West

Queen by Royal Command by Annie West
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 1, 2025
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When duty to his kingdom…
meets desire for his enemy!

Newly crowned King Benedikt is on a mission to prove he’s nothing like his corrupt father—despite what Princess Annalena believes… Their rival aristocratic families have a long, bitter history, so when Annalena presents proof that the throne is rightfully hers, he counters—with a royal wedding demand!

Orphaned as a child, Annalena longs for love, not a marriage contract. But if becoming Benedikt’s queen is what it takes to ensure the country thrives, she’ll meet him at the altar. She won’t allow her attraction to the infuriating royal to derail her!

Attention grabbing and delightful right from the start! This modern day royal romance with a twist on an enemies to lovers trope is fast paced and quick to bring drama to the forefront. Each character is laid out well with their royal background before the fireworks Princess Annalena is bringing to the table is exposed. I liked each of them in their own right and once they came to an agreement to wed and finally let their steamy connection loose, they were quite an enthralling pair. I loved the twist on the throne quite a lot. Great characters, entertaining plot and a sexy yet sweet love story. Highly recommend!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MONTANA JUSTICE by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MONTANA JUSTICE by Josie Jade and Janie Crouch

Montana Justice by Josie Jade, Janie Crouch
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing on July 1, 2025
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She ran to save her life.
Now the man she once betrayed is her only hope.

Home to both the Resting Warrior Ranch and Pawsitive Connections, Garnet Bend, Montana is a small town full of big heroes. Anyone would want to live there.

Anybody but Piper Matthews.

She swore she’d never come back after what her father did to the town and what she did to Sheriff Lachlan Calloway. But desperation has a way of rewriting promises. With a baby in her arms and nowhere left to run, Piper returns to the only place that ever felt like home.

Lachlan never expected to see Piper again—especially not with a child that has his eyes. The woman who once disappeared without a word is now sleeping under his roof, guarding more secrets than she’s willing to share.

She says she’s done running. But Piper’s past is closing in fast—and it’s darker, more dangerous, and more tangled up in Lachlan’s world than he could ever imagine.

In a town built on quiet loyalty and buried lies, the truth is about to break everything wide open.

Drama filled and action packed! The next book in the Resting Warrior Ranch series centers around Sheriff Lachlan. There wasn’t a lot to be seen in any great degree of the Resting Warrior folks this time, but the story was enthralling enough all on it’s own to hold my attention. I liked Lachlan and Piper both and was rooting for them from the start, but she was a a bit of a hard pill to swallow once we learn the true depth of her secrets. There were several holes in the plot that would have made for a more fulfilling story had they been developed on (such as where was her mom? what was his background? what was program that is mentioned at the end of the story?), but overall I enjoyed them. Lots of suspense, danger and treachery to sink your teeth into.

I highly recommend this series as a whole to anyone that enjoys former military/law enforcement guys that form a bond with each other and set out to keep their loved ones and the town they settled in safe.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * NEED by Chelle Bliss

July 1, 2025 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Need by Chelle Bliss
Series: Men of Inked Sinners #3
Published by Bliss Ink LLC on July 1, 2025
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Can a chance encounter with a bossy, tattooed hunk turn into a happily ever after?

Lulu Gallo doesn’t spend time daydreaming about romance, she's too busy becoming a self-made woman. But on the way to meeting with a new client, a pothole takes out her tire, sending her on a path she never saw coming.

Oliver has always been a loner. He prefers spending his days getting his hands dirty and helping strangers in need. But what started out as a normal call, has Oliver saving the life of a beautiful stranger and changing his destiny forever.

But when someone threatens Lulu and the ones she loves, Oliver will do anything to protect her even if it means giving up his freedom and their happily ever after.

I never get tired of the Gallo family! Chelle Bliss continues to delight her fans with their favorite family as each cousin/sibling finds their true love in emotional, dramatic ways that could only happen to the Gallos. I loved Lou and Oli and enjoyed their love story very much. I felt like this particular book fell a little short in the Gallo’ness though. I wanted more background, more family interaction, more relationship development. The characters were solid and grabbed my attention quickly and kept me entrenched in their story easily, but I wanted the depth of the fam that is usually there. I loved them regardless and can’t wait fore more to come in the series.

I highly recommend the entire series as well as the Gallos that came prior to anyone that enjoys a close knit family with lives filled with chaos and drama but who love hard when they find their forever.

Filed Under: Book Reviews