Archives for February 8, 2026

* Review * THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT by Camilla Isley

February 8, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT by Camilla Isley

The Heat of the Moment by Camilla Isley
Series: The Meet Cute #2
Published by Boldwood Books on February 16, 2026
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When a slow-burn attraction finally catches fire...

Four years after losing her husband in the line of duty, ER nurse Lily Finnigan has one goal: raise her daughter and keep her heart safely locked away. Romance—even a simple fling—isn’t on the agenda. Until Josh Collins walks into her emergency room.

Gorgeous, charming, and infuriatingly kind, he is everything Lily doesn’t want—but can’t seem to stay away from. When her apartment floods, her new helpful neighbor turns out to be the sexy firefighter she’s been dreaming of. Now he’s everywhere—offering help, stealing smiles, and slowly breaking down her walls.

Lily insists they can only be friends. She swore she would never fall for another firefighter. But the more time she spends with Josh, the more impossible that promise becomes. And when Josh risks his life fighting a wildfire, Lily’s heart shatters with the truth she’s been avoiding: she’s already fallen. The moment he walks back through her door battered and bruised but safe, Lily’s instinct is to run from her past and her future… But Josh won’t let her go that easily.

Highly emotional and heart-string pulling! I loved every minute of Lily and Josh together. He was just the healing balm she needed in her life to let her let go and learn to love again. Her kiddo was absolutely adorable too. I loved the depth of emotion that she portrayed in her grief and yet the gentle soul he used to nudge her to smile again. Great characters, nicely developed but a little weak on his family side of things where I would have enjoyed seeing a bit more. I was invested in them from start to finish and enjoyed every minute. I will be going back to nab Josie and Dorian’s story for sure … this was my first by this author, but for sure won’t be my last! Highly recommend to anyone who loves a tear-jerker along with your happily ever after!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * ON THIN ICE by Kelly Jamieson

February 8, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * ON THIN ICE by Kelly Jamieson

On Thin Ice by Kelly Jamieson
Series: The New Jersey Storm #3
Published by Boldwood Books on February 13, 2026
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Marek's world is on the ice, Nicki's is on the stage. But their worlds collide in one steamy night in Vegas ...

Marek

Playing for the New Jersey Storm I know how to handle the heat – on and off the ice. But nothing compares to Nicki Sullivan. We collided in Vegas: One wild night, no strings and a spark I couldn’t shake. We went our separate ways, but I never stopped thinking about her. When I see she’s involved in an accident that nearly takes her life, I drop everything and drive to New York. She’s broken, shaken… but still the woman who set my world alight. So I bring her home with me — to recover, to breathe… and maybe, to see if that spark between us still burns.

Nicki

After the accident, I can’t face the music — or the world. The last person I expect to show up is Marek — sinfully hot, too good to be real, and suddenly my rescuer. I should push him away. Instead, I let him take me to his apartment, where everything feels dangerously safe. But it’s not just comfort — it’s him. The heat between us is impossible to ignore and being with him feels right. But I can’t hide away forever. Falling for him is a risk because this time the ice beneath us may just crack.

One night turns into forever in the latest visit to the New Jersey Storm! I’m torn on my thoughts about this book. I loved Marek, absolutely loved him … his heart, his kindness, his love for his quirky sister, his willingness to do anything Nicki needed to feel whole again. But I didn’t love certain ways that Nikki strung him along, and I most importantly didn’t love the author’s tirade on toxic masculinity in hockey that was woven into the story. I read fiction particularly to get away from the ugliness of life, not to have it preached from one person’s point of view under the guise of a hobby meant to be enjoyment. Whether I agree wholeheartedly or not, this was not the time and place because it’s an entertainment field. It’s not the typical style of this author, whom I have read a lot from and always enjoyed … but it’s enough to make me second guess picking up the next book because I’m not sure what it will be filled with now. Disappointing for sure. Overall, I feel like he put his all into their relationship and she put about 50% and we really needed more time with them once they truly were all in to get a feel for her depth and investment in them after all was said and done.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE HOTSHOT by Piper Rayne

February 8, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

The Hotshot by Piper Rayne
Series: The Dugout #1
Published by Piper Rayne Inc. on February 17, 2026
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Goodreads

Raising my cousin’s three kids wasn’t in my five-year plan.
Actually, it wasn’t in any plan.

One minute I’m a single labor and delivery nurse living a quiet life and the next, I’m navigating guardianship hearings, meltdowns, and homework I’m pretty sure requires a math degree.

Enter Hayes Carlisle.

My best friend’s older brother.
Chicago Colts newest catcher.
And the man I once kissed and immediately pretended I didn’t.

So, when the custody battle I’ve been dreading becomes a reality, I shouldn’t be surprised that Hayes swoops in with a wild idea—a fake relationship. According to him, pretending we’re together will polish his image and prove to the court I’m not taking on an instant family alone.

But pretending to be Hayes’ girlfriend is a terrible idea.

Because he remembers how to make me laugh.
Because he looks at me like our kiss wasn’t a one-time mistake.
Because the kids start asking him to read bedtime stories.
Because my heart starts wanting things my life doesn’t have room for.

I can manage the chaos. I can fight for these kids.
But pretending not to fall for Hayes Carlisle?

That might be the one thing I can’t do.

Heart-wrenching, but sassy and addictive! In my first read by new to me author Piper Rayne, I dove into the first book in a brand new baseball series The Dugout and I was not disappointed! I left knowing I will definitely be reading more and looking forward to book two in the series dropping, hopefully soon! The characters and core plot were very quick to catch my attention and hold it throughout the entire story. It’s a cliche secretly crushing on your best friends older brother trope, but there’s so much more depth to it with heartbreak, healing and so much humor.

With a full cast of family, friends and teammates, there was a whole lot to sink your teeth into with this story. Each main character had a backstory that caught our attention, hers was more developed than his with the kiddos she now had in her care. I felt like the little mystery surrounding her cousin was a bit distracting and didn’t really add to the story, but the kids were so key in adding the heart to the entire book that really made them all come together and shine. I would have liked more details up front on what made his prior year so gutting to his career, but we eventually got enough of the story to satisfy our curiosity even if not all the details. His parents, particularly his mom was a doll and I hope we’ll see a lot more of them when we get Callie’s story in book two.

Overall, I enjoyed Hayes and Leighton and the kiddos very much and can’t wait to see them again down the road! Highly recommend to fans of sports romance, rom coms with heart and lusting from afar for many years.

TROPES ✨

⚾️ Baseball Romance
🤫 Fake Relationship
👀 Best Friend’s Brother
🙋‍♂️ He Falls First
👩‍👧‍👧 Single Guardian
🤞🏼Close Proximity

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Pre-order on Amazon

Pub date is February 17, 2026

BLURB✨

Raising my cousin’s three kids wasn’t in my five-year plan.
Actually, it wasn’t in any plan.
One minute I’m a single labor and delivery nurse living a quiet life and the next, I’m navigating guardianship hearings, meltdowns, and homework I’m pretty sure requires a math degree.

Enter Hayes Carlisle.

My best friend’s older brother.
Chicago Colts newest catcher.
And the man I once kissed and immediately pretended I didn’t.

So, when the custody battle I’ve been dreading becomes a reality, I shouldn’t be surprised that Hayes swoops in with a wild idea—a fake relationship. According to him, pretending we’re together will polish his image and prove to the court I’m not taking on an instant family alone.

But pretending to be Hayes’ girlfriend is a terrible idea.

Because he remembers how to make me laugh.
Because he looks at me like our kiss wasn’t a one-time mistake.
Because the kids start asking him to read bedtime stories.
Because my heart starts wanting things my life doesn’t have room for.

I can manage the chaos. I can fight for these kids.
But pretending not to fall for Hayes Carlisle?

That might be the one thing I can’t do.

Filed Under: Book Reviews