Archives for January 2026

* Review * SOMONE TO STAY by Michelle Major

January 17, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SOMONE TO STAY by Michelle Major

Someone To Stay by Michelle Major
Series: The Skylark Series #5
Published by Romilda House on January 20, 2026
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Goodreads

PIPER:
NFL superstar Felix Barlowe was never supposed to be the one.

He’s my brother-in-law’s brother and my nemesis--until one unforgettable night changed everything. I thought it would get him out of my system, not leave me with a secret.

I’m hiding out in a secluded cabin, pregnant and panicking, when Felix shows up with a two-year-old and no idea how everything is about to change. So I do something reckless and offer to help as his temporary nanny.

It seems like an easy way to buy myself time. But watching him bake sourdough at dawn and read bedtime stories on repeat, not to mention those late-night kisses, I start to fall for him in a way I never saw coming.

Felix Barlowe thinks he’s not built for forever. I think he might be perfect for me.

FELIX:
Piper Hart has hated me from day one. She’s all spark and sass and completely immune to my charm. But now she’s helping with a little girl I never expected to raise, and I can’t seem to get the night she spent in my arms out of my mind.

I’ve failed at love three times--definitely not relationship material. But Piper makes me want to believe again.

And when I discover her secret, I’ll do whatever it takes to prove I’m not a man who leaves. I’m the one who stays.

Someone To Stay is Book 5 in The Skylark Series. A small-town standalone with a guaranteed HEA. If you like grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers romance with forced proximity, found family, and all the slow-burn heat, this one's for you.

I absolutely adore Piper and Felix together!!! They were like oil and water until that one night that changed their lives forever … only he doesn’t know anything about it yet! This book is filled with so much emotional upheaval, but also so much heart and affection. Fans of the series will recognize Piper as Sadie’s little sister and she’s fighting her attraction to Sadie’s brother-in-law Felix. A drunken one night stand has led to a secret pregnancy that she’s scared to tell him about, and before she can get up the guts to do so, he shows up at Ian’s cabin where she is staying with a toddler in tow. What’s a girl to do but grab that adorableness up and hold on tight? Great characters, top notch drama and so much warmth and love!

I love this group of friends so hard. I’m starting to get nervous about the non-answers from Sloane. It’s going to break my heart if things don’t go her way. Can’t wait to finally get into Avah’s story next. Such an amazing group of friends! I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a tight knit group of girlfriends who rally around in good times and bad as each finds their forever love.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * CATCH HER IF YOU CAN by Tessa Bailey

January 17, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * CATCH HER IF YOU CAN by Tessa Bailey

Catch Her If You Can by Tessa Bailey
Series: Big Shots #5
Published by Avon on January 20, 2026
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Madden Donahue, the newest catcher for the Yankees, has been in love with Eve Mitchell since high school, but for some mysterious reason, the burlesque club owner always turns him down. That never stopped him from being her self-appointed protector. Case in point, now that Eve’s sister has left Eve with her two children indefinitely, Madden steps in with a proposition—marry him for the much needed health benefits.

Eve has secretly harbored feelings for Madden all along, but there’s one problem—her best friend Skylar called dibs on him when they were fourteen. Eve has always put their friendship above all else, and she’s not willing to risk losing Skylar over a man. Raised by the local strip club owner, Eve is woefully short on friends and treasures the ones she has. But with Skylar happily paired off, Eve finds herself accepting Madden’s proposal—on the condition that their marriage remains strictly private. She’s not about to let her unique profession and maligned reputation destroy Madden’s shiny new career.

Madden won’t let Eve get away that easily, though. What starts as a marriage of convenience soon ignites into something much hotter, and now it’s up to Madden to convince Eve that their connection is far more than a business arrangement. As the passion builds, can their fake marriage become the real deal?

Bailey always delivers on an easily relatable couple with heart, humor and sexy goodness! Fans of Bailey’s Big Shots series will recognize some of the characters in this book as the heroine is Skylar’s BFF and the hero is Skylar’s brother Elton’s BFF. I’m so not a fan of going back and forth in time, so that irritated me a bit for the first few chapters, but once we were solidly in the present, I relaxed and let them entertain me. Eve and Madden are both very easy to like. They have each had a rough life up to this point with family and circumstance letting them down on more than one occasion. A reconnection just when she needs it most, and just when a roadblock that held her back for years has been knocked down makes for a convenient time for him to make his interest known once and for all. There are a few holes that could have been filled a bit, but overall their story was endearing with lots of warmth and love. I really liked them together and loved their happily ever after!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * ATLAS by Sawyer Bennett

January 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * ATLAS by Sawyer Bennett

Atlas by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Pittsburgh Titans #19
Published by Big Dog Books on ‎ January 13, 2026
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Goodreads

As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.

Playing professional hockey wasn’t just a dream, it was the only one that ever mattered. I’ve worked my whole life for this career, and now that I’m playing for the Pittsburgh Titans, I’m exactly where I want to be. My life feels complete.

Losing my best friend to cancer shatters me in ways I didn’t see coming. And as I’m trying to figure out how to say goodbye, I’m blindsided again—because he’s named me and Maddie St. James as joint guardians of his daughter.

Maddie and I… we’re not friends. We’re barely acquaintances. If I’m oil, she’s water, and we’ve never managed to mix without friction. But for the sake of a little girl who’s already lost too much, we need to find neutral ground and figure out how to co-parent.

Are we capable? I’d like to think so. Are we scared out of our minds? Without a doubt. Can we put our differences aside and work together? Honestly, it depends on the day. But when stress turns into stolen glances, which turn into nights we can’t take back, our partnership gets a whole lot more complicated.

Because what started as obligation is starting to feel a lot like forever.

Heartfelt and emotionally riveting! All of the guys that make up the Pittsburgh Titans family are great and I adore revisiting them all time and time again, but Atlas’ story punched a little harder than many of the rest. I would venture to say the trauma and loss in this book was even better written than the plane crash era in the beginning of the series. I was hooked from start to finish and really felt the depth of the pain and then the joy as they healed and forged a new life. Very emotional, sincere and loving.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys seeing the pieces coming back together in life after a momentous loss. Atlas and Maddie each lose their best friend and have to overcome their own dislike of each other to forge a healthy atmosphere for the light of that friends life. You can’t beat the brotherhood of this series!

Blurb:

As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.

Playing professional hockey wasn’t just a dream, it was the only one that ever mattered. I’ve worked my whole life for this career, and now that I’m playing for the Pittsburgh Titans, I’m exactly where I want to be. My life feels complete.

Losing my best friend to cancer shatters me in ways I didn’t see coming. And as I’m trying to figure out how to say goodbye, I’m blindsided again—because he’s named me and Maddie St. James as joint guardians of his daughter.

Maddie and I… we’re not friends. We’re barely acquaintances. If I’m oil, she’s water, and we’ve never managed to mix without friction. But for the sake of a little girl who’s already lost too much, we need to find neutral ground and figure out how to co-parent.

Are we capable? I’d like to think so. Are we scared out of our minds? Without a doubt. Can we put our differences aside and work together? Honestly, it depends on the day. But when stress turns into stolen glances, which turn into nights we can’t take back, our partnership gets a whole lot more complicated.

Because what started as obligation is starting to feel a lot like forever.

Buy Link:
https://geni.us/SB_Atlas

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

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Release Blitz/Review * HOUSE OF BS AND LIES by Lani Lynn Vale

January 13, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * HOUSE OF BS AND LIES by Lani Lynn Vale

House of BS & Lies by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Don't Date Him #1
on January 13, 2026
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

She was enraptured by the man they called Romeo the moment that he turned those butterscotch-colored eyes her way.
What wasn’t to love about a big, burly, plaid-wearing lumberjack?

He was tall, gorgeous, and knew how to wield a chainsaw better than Leatherface. He could fell a tree in seconds, had thighs that were as thick as said trees, filled out a pair of Wranglers better than any cowboy ever, and didn’t care that she could operate heavy machinery better than him.

He was everything a girl like Mable could ask for.

The caveat? He was a convicted felon that’d just escaped from prison, faked his death, and ran from his home in Texas to the mountains of Montana.

At first, Mable didn’t know what kind of man he’d been before coming to her small, mountain town. He led Mable into a false sense of security, made her fall madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with him, and then shocked her by sharing his darkest secret.

Now, she’s left reeling, thinking life couldn’t get more complicated.

Until she finds out her stepmother knows Romeo’s secret and plans to exploit him. To make matters worse, Romeo goes on the run to protect Mable from himself, and she realizes that she has a dark side, too. One that’ll stop at nothing, not even murder, to make sure that he can live free.

Gritty and emotional! It’s always fun to kick off a new series with Lani Lynn Vale, so a good bit of time was spent building up the list of characters and letting us get to know a little about each. Romeo is immediately endearing and heartfelt with his connection to her dog and returning him to her no matter how attached he was, etc. I felt like we were slightly overwhelmed with Birdie and the core of Mable and Romeo were rushed over a little bit more than normal in a LLV love story. I enjoyed them both, loved their connection and look forward to more in the series, I just wanted a little more here and now too. Overall, this was a well developed set up of the series and had a solid hook to keep us reading to get to know the other guys more. I enjoyed getting to see more of Apollo from the last series too!

Title: House of BS & Lies

Series: Don’t Date Him #1

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Bad Boy Ex Con/Small Town

Alpha Male

Release Date: January 13, 2026

BLURB

She was enraptured by the man they called Romeo the moment that he turned those butterscotch-colored eyes her way.

What wasn’t to love about a big, burly, plaid-wearing lumberjack?

He was tall, gorgeous, and knew how to wield a chainsaw better than Leatherface. He could fell a tree in seconds, had thighs that were as thick as said trees, filled out a pair of Wranglers better than any cowboy ever, and didn’t care that she could operate heavy machinery better than him.

He was everything a girl like Mable could ask for.

The caveat? He was a convicted felon that’d just escaped from prison, faked his death, and ran from his home in Texas to the mountains of Montana.

At first, Mable didn’t know what kind of man he’d been before coming to her small, mountain town. He led Mable into a false sense of security, made her fall madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with him, and then shocked her by sharing his darkest secret.

Now, she’s left reeling, thinking life couldn’t get more complicated.

Until she finds out her stepmother knows Romeo’s secret and plans to exploit him. To make matters worse, Romeo goes on the run to protect Mable from himself, and she realizes that she has a dark side, too. One that’ll stop at nothing, not even murder, to make sure that he can live free.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

COMING SOON

Releasing February 10

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

AUTHOR BIO

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

AUTHOR LINKS

AMAZON

BOOKBUB

FACEBOOK

PROFILE / PAGE / GROUP

INSTAGRAM

WEBSITE

TIKTOK

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * FUNDAMENTALS OF BEING A GOOD GIRL by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

January 12, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * FUNDAMENTALS OF BEING A GOOD GIRL by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone
Series: Academic Affairs #1
Published by Avon on January 13, 2026
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Goodreads

Class is in session.

Maddie Kowalczk is ready to be a bad girl. When the rookie lecturer lands at Astra University, she’s looking to start fresh after a messy breakup. But her first night in town takes a twist when she bumps into Bram Loe—a reserved but incredibly handsome single dad she (not so accidentally) stole a parking spot from earlier that day. The unspoken chemistry as he locks eyes with her while she gets a birthday spanking at a local bar is hotter than a Bunsen burner at full flame.

Bram is looking for a break from his hectic life as an ecology professor and dad to rambunctious twins and a busy teenager. So when his college friend’s divorce celebration brings him face-to-face with the same delectable brat who stole his parking spot, he’s ready for a night to remember. But the next morning, Bram’s world turns upside down (and that’s not just the hangover talking). His new nanny? None other than Maddie, who also happens to be the new poli-sci adjunct at the university where he teaches.
Maddie is desperate and broke, so when Bram offers her a raise and the chance to set some ground rules, she can’t say no. As the two settle into their new roles, the normally unruffled Bram finds that no one riles him up like Maddie does, which is a problem when every argument feels like foreplay. Of course, Bram is an educator first and foremost, and he very quickly finds he can’t resist the temptation of instructing Maddie in the fundamentals of being a good girl.

And it turns out Maddie’s a hands-on learner…

A delectably emotional and sexy take on wooing the proverbial nanny! Maddie is a feisty, yet broken soul when she meets endearing Bram and his precocious kiddos. Their connection is quick to catch the reader’s attention and they only grow more intriguing the more they are developed. There is the secret/forbidden aspect that is appealing, but also a very sincere, sweet side to them both. I dearly loved how much they cared for his kids and for each other and his group of friends were absolutely the bomb. She stumbled a bit while trying to protect her heart and go after what she thought were meant to be her dreams, but love won out in the end. I did feel like there were several holes in the development of various aspects of their lives, and there were a lot of hot topics brought in to be more political than some might like, but overall a very spicy, humorous and filled with heart read that I feel will be enjoyed by many!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * ONLY FOR LOVE by Natasha Madison

January 9, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blitz/Review * ONLY FOR LOVE by Natasha Madison

Only For Love by Natasha Madison
Series: Only For Series #2
on January 9, 2026
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Goodreads

Lexi
Falling for a famous hockey player? I would have laughed at you.
I was trapped in a marriage-caged with cruelty.
I wasn’t ever going to be free.
Until I found a way to escape.
Before him, I thought love was a nightmare.
Now I dared to dream.

Kirby
First time I met her I was drawn to her light.
Then I saw the fear in her eyes.
Fear I’ve seen before.
Our chance encounter turned into two.
If she ever needed me, I’d be there.
I never dared to want her.
But I lost my heart to her anyways.

This one will nab you in the heart and tug continually on those strings throughout! Highly addictive and endearing! We saw a touch of Lexi and Kirby and a connection that could never be at Ariella and Jaxon’s baby shower in a previous book, so if you follow this hockey dynasty, you will recognize them. The tension is high as we get to know Lexi in her homelife and Kirby crosses her path again while doing some volunteering in his hometown of Phoenix and he leaves a lasting mark on her that gives her the nudge she needs to do right by herself and leave a bad situation behind. When they again cross paths a few months later, he learns the impact he had on her life and their friendship grows, until neither can deny the attraction they share for each other. I really connected with Kirby and appreciated the stability he represented with a jovial, yet sincere attitude. Lexi was inspiring once she learned to trust again and let herself strive for the life she deserved. I love this extended family so much and look forward to continuing to see them time and time again! Great characters, emotional connections and so much heart and healing to sink your teeth into. Highly recommend!

ONLY FOR LOVE
Natasha Madison
Release Date: January 9

When a chance encounter changes everything.

Lexi
Falling for a famous hockey player? I would have laughed at you.
I was trapped in a marriage-caged with cruelty.
I wasn’t ever going to be free.
Until I found a way to escape.
Before him, I thought love was a nightmare.
Now I dared to dream.

Kirby
First time I met her I was drawn to her light.
Then I saw the fear in her eyes.
Fear I’ve seen before.
Our chance encounter turned into two.
If she ever needed me, I’d be there.
I never dared to want her.
But I lost my heart to her anyways.

Buy Link:
https://books2read.com/NMOnly4Love
Available in KU

Meet Natasha Madison:

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the
kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring
kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do
what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

Connect with Natasha Madison:
https://linktr.ee/natashamauthor

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * WARRIOR SECURITY: COOPER by Josie Jade

January 8, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WARRIOR SECURITY: COOPER by Josie Jade

Warrior Security: Cooper by Josie Jade
Series: Warrior Security #3
Published by Calamittie Jane Publishing - Protector Romance Circle on ‎ January 9, 2026
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Goodreads

Six weeks undercover. One wrong woman. Zero room for error.

Ryan "Coop" Cooper has spent weeks infiltrating a deadly militia running weapons through Montana's backcountry. He's one meeting away from bringing them down when Mia Thornton—the woman from his past—walks straight into his operation.

Now he has two choices: watch her die or claim her as his.

To keep her alive, Coop must convince a compound full of killers that she belongs to him. Every rough touch, every possessive threat is meant to sell the lie. But when the militia leader sets his sights on Mia, and members start questioning Coop's loyalty, their dangerous charade becomes a deadly game of survival.

Mia never thought she'd need saving by Ryan Cooper. Now she's trapped in his violent world, unsure if he's protecting her or if he's become the monster he's pretending to be. Every bruising kiss, every possessive touch feels too real.

With enemies tightening the noose, Coop must risk his mission, his career, and his life…for the only woman he’s ever loved.

Some mistakes you can’t outrun. Some loves are worth dying for.

Fast paced and attention grabbing suspense! The third book in Josie Jade’s Warrior Security series brings us Coop’s story. He’s undercover with a dangerous militia when he reconnects unexpectedly with the woman he used to think he’d spend forever with. Thrust into danger and an uncomfortable situation, Mia shows her strength and keeps her head through it all. I enjoyed both characters and their backstory and the danger was top notch. I wanted a little more once they were safe and reconnecting. It felt a bit rushed and glossed over of the trauma and past they shared. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series and highly recommend this series as well as the Resting Warrior Ranch series that it spun off of to anyone who loves former military guys who share great friendship and brotherhood after returning home and having to deal with trauma and life after service as they each find their forever love.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * NO ONE KNEW by Kendra Elliot

January 8, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

No One Knew by Kendra Elliot
Series: Noelle Marshall #2
Published by Montlake on January 6, 2026
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Goodreads

In the crisp mountain air of central Oregon, a teenage girl’s search for discarded cans leads to a horrifying discovery: a body, brutally murdered and abandoned in the woods. The case falls to Deschutes County Detective Noelle Marshall, who finds herself navigating a community steeped in secrets, suspicion, and distrust of outsiders—especially law enforcement.

Miles away, FBI Special Agent Max Rhodes investigates a different kind of darkness—chatter about a violent uprising from a shadowy militia group preparing for war. The two cases seem worlds apart. But as Noelle digs into the murdered man’s past and Max closes in on the source of the terror plot, their paths begin to converge in a terrifying way. This was no random killing. It was a message. A merciless killer and a hidden army are operating in the same shadows, and finding the link between them is the only thing standing between a single murder and a full-blown massacre.

I was quickly hooked by the first part of the story, and once Noelle was on the scene, things started piling on to bring different touches of mystery and intrigue into the plot every time we turned around. Noelle’s back story is hinted at throughout to draw in the reader, but I highly encourage you to read the first book in the series to really get the hook of her past. Great suspense, lots of twists and a back ground of affection between Noelle and Max and their family and coworkers. I’m excited for more to come in the series and highly recommend both of the existing books to anyone who enjoys a strong female police lead as she takes down the bad guys.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * LEGACY by Carrie Ann Ryan

January 5, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Legacy by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: Ashford Creek #1
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on January 5, 2026
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With one scowl, I fell just that much harder for Callum Ashford—NFL star turned small town brewer. He’s not only older, but he’s my brother’s best friend. Two very important reasons I should stay away.
Only two years ago, after the worst night of my life, he kissed me and I can’t keep him off my mind.
When the only house available to rent in town happens to be the one across the street from him, the close proximity does its work.
We can’t keep our hands off each other. Yet as the heat rises, so do feelings. He might want me, but he wants peace more.
There’s a darkness within him I know he fights. Just as there are secrets his family needs to uncover. But when the danger comes full force, it won’t be from the obvious corner. No, we both have our pasts we chose to hide.
And our fears.
Yet when I break, he catches me.
And I hope I have the strength to do the same.

All the feels will have you hooked in no time! Starting a new series with Carrie Ann Ryan is always such a joy because she’s so good at assembling a cast of supporting characters that make us fall just as hard for them as we do for the main hero/heroine so we are assured we will be with friends with every return visit! This particular book showcases a returning town favorite and the brother’s best friend turned neighbor that she has secretly lusted after for years. There’s lots of world building to introduce both families who are close friends as well as the townsfolk who make a cozy backdrop. Angsty and sentimental with a suspenseful twist thrown in the mix. The characters are well developed, the passion is spot on and the heart of the town and families will have you anxious to return. Loved every minute of their story!

Filed Under: Book Reviews