Archives for July 2026

* Review * JUST A LITTLE TEMPTED by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

July 24, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * JUST A LITTLE TEMPTED by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

Just a Little Tempted by Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde
Series: A Sterling Family Crossover #3
on July 28, 2026
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I never meant to fall for my boss.

When I was hired to be Simon’s assistant, everyone warned me he was impossible—brilliant, demanding, and obsessed with control. But after surviving two months of his rules and grumpy attitude, I’ve learned how to manage my boss. Maybe it’s my chaotic upbringing or the fact that I desperately need this job, but I can’t ignore the moments when his guarded edges soften… even if he pretends they don’t.

Then one nervous slip in front of a major client turns into a fake relationship neither of us can back out of. Now I’m Simon’s “girlfriend,” attending dinners, traveling for meetings, and sharing far too much close proximity with the man I’m not supposed to want. Pretending to belong to him shouldn’t feel real—but it does. And the hardest part isn’t keeping up the lie. It’s realizing I’m falling for him for real.

Decadently tempting! When doing a favor for a friend leads to the best personal assistant he has ever had, Simon Powers is undeniably grumpy that he’s beginning to do the one thing he loathes to do … trust. Raina Seager seems to have charmed the ogre boss that people warned her about, but that’s because she’s desperate for the job and willing to put up with his attitude and demanding of perfection. A friend turned nemesis being in the wrong spot at the wrong time leads to a fake dating subterfuge that turns all too real along the way. I really enjoyed both characters and felt they were well developed and well rounded for the most part. A smidge more family interaction would have been nice, but overall I loved their story. Highly addictive and satisfying all the way around!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * A COWBOY TO CALL HER OWN by Cari Lynn Webb

July 24, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A COWBOY TO CALL HER OWN by Cari Lynn Webb

A Cowboy to Call Her Own by Cari Lynn Webb
Series: The Bluegrass Blackwells #1
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on July 28, 2026
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This big-city cowboy

Just swept her off her boots!

Saving his family’s Kentucky racing stables is priority number one for cowboy Asher Blackwell. Love is not on his agenda. But when pretty chef Kelley Munroe pulls him into a clumsy two-step, he’s charmed. And making a deal with her to cater for the stables adds a little sunlight to his days. As a shared love of horses draws them together, and they’re roped into planning the town’s Fourth of July celebrations, the sparks between them blossom into fireworks. Asher wasn’t looking for a fresh start, and his life is in New York. But Kelley’s healing support is cracking open his guarded heart. Could she be the cowgirl he’d always hoped for?

An exhilarating kickoff to a Blackwell family return! If you’re like me and have been devouring every Blackwell family series since we were first introduced to Elias (Big E) several years ago, you are going to be delighted to step back into his realm again as he doles out his gentle advice to yet another Blackwell branch, this time in Gold Finch, Kentucky. We are quickly thrust into the heart of horse country as estranged son Asher Blackwell returns to try to put the pieces back together of his family legacy after unexpected turmoil derails their racing dynasty. He meets chef Kelley Munroe and is enchanted. The main characters both have interesting back stories that led them both to the place that they are at today and the attraction they feel when they cross paths is unexpected and unwanted for the most part. I loved watching them fall just as hard for the town and ranch as they did for each other. I can’t wait to see what this series holds in store for us as his brothers begin to return to the family fold for their turn at helping in the recovery. I loved every minute of Asher and Kelley’s story, and seeing Big E had me all smiles throughout!

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* Review * RIVALS’ ONE-NIGHT RULE by Melanie Milburne

July 24, 2026 Leave a Comment

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* Review * RIVALS’ ONE-NIGHT RULE by Melanie Milburne

Rivals' One-Night Rule by Melanie Milburne
Series: Wilde Billionaire Brothers #2
Published by Harlequin Presents on July 28, 2026
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Can they resist…

the laws of attraction?

Cynical divorce lawyer Jack never mixes business with pleasure. Until a case puts him head-to-head with his fiercest rival, Sylvie, the only woman who gets under his skin. He’s overcome by a primal need to wreck her icy facade and unleash the simmering heat between them…

Sylvie refuses to blur the lines of professionalism—especially not for arrogant playboy Jack. Yet, to her horror, he awakens a hunger she can’t deny, leading to a sinfully delicious, strictly one-night indulgence. As passion obliterates hatred between epic rivals, who will come out on top?

A lust-filled connection leads to forever! Jack Wild and Sylvie Rathbone are opposing council in a contentious divorce case that leads to tension filled disputes and eventual connections outside of the courtroom. Both characters are highly effective in their careers with strong family drama that drives them to be the best. No one saw attraction between them coming until it was too late and they were in deep. I really liked each of them as people and enjoyed their time together, but there wasn’t nearly enough development of their actual relationship to make the story feel complete. I’m looking forward to the final brother’s story to finish out the trilogy though because I enjoy the family.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * WESTWARD by Carrie Ann Ryan

July 24, 2026 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Westward by Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: Ashford Creek #3
Published by Carrie Ann Ryan on July 27, 2026
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Atlas Carter has it all.
One of the best careers in the NHL as a star goalie.
A family that sacrificed everything to get him where he is.
And a small town that praises him as their golden boy.
What he doesn’t have is the girl he left behind.
But when Atlas gets hurt and is forced to spend his recovery in Ashford Creek, he finally has a second chance.

Elizabeth loves her life—her small town, her family, and her job.
Only she knows she can’t love Atlas Carter.
They parted ways for a reason, and those who judge her from her town don’t need to know the truth. She knows what it feels like to have the town’s eyes on her when it comes to Atlas Carter. So when she finally gives in, she’s prepared for the heat.

At least that's what they both tell themselves. Because the season is almost here and choices will have to be made.

Only they aren’t the only two forced to make a choice. Somebody doesn’t want Atlas to return…and small towns keep their secrets for a reason.

A bittersweet reunion of first loves! Atlas has made it good in the NHL, but the love he left behind to do so has never left his mind. Elizabeth adores her smalltown life, her aging parents and moulding young minds as a teacher. When an injury has him returning home to recover, they cross paths as they always do and the love they have always felt for each other does it’s thing like always. I wanted a little more told in the backstory as to how exactly they broke up originally, etc. but I enjoyed their time together now wholeheartedly. Her student Will’s strife adds a lot to the plot. Great characters, a strong backdrop of family and friend support and just enough mystery to pique our attention. I’m really enjoying this town!

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* Review * DRIVING BEATS by Arell Rivers

July 23, 2026 Leave a Comment

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* Review * DRIVING BEATS by Arell Rivers

Driving Beats by Arell Rivers
Series: Untamed Coaster #6
Published by Tarnished Halo Publishing LLC on July 23, 2026
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One introverted guitarist with a retired heart.
One uncontrollable, rebellious stylist.
And one perfectly raked Zen Garden about to be utterly destroyed.

At thirty-one, guitarist Coop O’Shea is the steady, meditative backbone of Untamed Coaster who guards a private past—a life-altering betrayal that left him convinced his own happily-ever-after was already behind him. He’s content with his quiet, celibate existence until a baggage mishap upends his world.

Enter Nese Dalton, the band’s youngest, loudest, and most infuriatingly beautiful stylist, assigned to help him rebuild his wardrobe.

Nese doesn't do “steady,” and she certainly doesn’t do “rules.” She’s spent years overcoming a dark past, fighting too hard for her freedom to let anyone close. When a temporary housing arrangement puts her in Coop's personal space, she kicks things off by dragging her heavy luggage straight through his prized Zen Garden.

Living under the same roof, their opposites-attract chemistry quickly becomes impossible to ignore. Beneath Coop's guarded exterior, Nese finds a deeply protective man who makes her feel safe for the first time.

When the walls between them lower, Coop's old fears resurface. Positive he's already had his shot at love, he begins pushing her away. But Nese refuses to be an afterthought, forcing Coop to decide whether holding onto the past is worth losing the woman who could change his future.

Coop meets his match! The sixth book in Rivers’ Untamed Coasters rockstar romance centers around guitarist Cooper O’Shea and band stylist Nese Dalton. He’s lived with betrayal and chose to distance himself from temptation by immersing into a zen lifestyle of calmness while she rebelled against the constrictions put on her growing up and enjoys living wild and free. When circumstances lead them to have to intermingle, sparks quickly fly and a connection is born that neither was expecting. They are both easy enough to like and a satisfying love story. I’ve really enjoyed this entire series!

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* Review * KNIGHTS LIKE THESE by Kendall Ryan

July 23, 2026 Leave a Comment

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* Review * KNIGHTS LIKE THESE by Kendall Ryan

Knights Like These by Kendall Ryan
Series: Off the Ice #3
on July 23, 2026
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He was my first kiss.
My first everything.
And then he married someone else.

I've been in love with Archer Lockwood since I was fourteen years old. I've never told him. I stood at his wedding, held his newborn twins in the hospital, and cried in my car afterward. I smiled through every moment that should have been mine—because that's what best friends do.

Now Archer is divorced, overwhelmed, and raising two three-year-olds alone during an NHL season. When he calls for help, I pack a suitcase and fly to New York.

The plan was simple: help with the kids, keep my distance, and don't fall in love.
The plan lasted about seventy-two hours.

Because his twins have me wrapped around their fingers. His house feels like home. And he keeps looking at me like he's finally seeing something he missed.

I've waited years for Archer to look at me like that.

I just wasn't ready for what happens when he finally does.

A slow-burn, best friends to lovers hockey delight! The third book in Kendall Ryan’s Off the Ice series brings us Archer’s story and continues to deliver on delightful hockey players who fall hard when they least expect it. Archer is newly divorced with twin toddlers to contend with and calls on his best friend to lend a helping hand. Said best friend has been secretly in love with him since they were teenagers. The characters are both really down to earth and easy to like. The story is extremely slow burn with a lot of the past coming into play before their true romance begins in this story. I wanted a little more of them at the end once they truly decided to make this thing work as more than friends to make me fully invested in their future, but I enjoyed them a lot overall.

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* Review * HAWK’S HOPE by Chelle Bliss

July 21, 2026 Leave a Comment

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Hawk's Hope by Chelle Bliss
Series: Hurricane Heat MC #4
Published by Bliss Ink on July 21, 2026
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As the road captain for the MC, Hawk’s always worried about safety. But when the President tasks him with keeping his kids safe, he can’t say no. Hawk knows nothing about teenagers, especially girl, but he figures how hard can it be. He quickly realizes it’s harder than he ever thought, and the girls aren’t making it easy on him either.

It doesn’t take long before the principal takes notice, questioning Hawk about the girl’s safety. Veronica Hollifield catches Hawk’s eye with her stiletto heels, pencil skirt, and good girl vibes. And when she asks for a home visit, Hawk has other plans for her. He doesn’t want to just prove he’s doing his job, he wants to spend more time with the beautiful principal.

But when Veronica finds herself in danger, Hawk's the only man she can turn to. Hawk will do whatever it takes to protect the sexy principal, even if that means his own life.

And what starts out as simple attraction turns into a need to protect, undeniable chemistry, and a wild love that burns hotter than the sun.

Intensely passionate goodness! With the fourth book in her Hurricane Heat MC series Bliss is turning on the charm when Hawk meets high school principal Veronica and turns her life upside down. The characters were easy to like, I enjoyed their chemistry whole heartedly and enjoyed the personality mix. I wanted more development as a whole of their relationship through every day life and not just a short term situation to feel their depth completely. I also want more MC interaction in this series. They are there and are solid guys, but the amount of time of them interacting together is fairly light. Enjoying the series and looking forward to more to come.

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* Review * SOMEONE TO CLAIM by Michelle Major

July 21, 2026 Leave a Comment

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* Review * SOMEONE TO CLAIM by Michelle Major

Someone To Claim by Michelle Major
Series: The Skylark Series #7
Published by Romilda House on July 21, 2026
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Sloane
I spent fifteen months letting cancer define me. Now I'm hiking into the Montana wilderness to track down the author whose book kept me going in my darkest days and to prove I'm more than the girl everyone has to worry about.

The last person I expect to find me on the trail is the country music legend with a voice (and body) that wrecked me during two unforgettable nights in Nashville. Only I walked away from him because a man who lost his mother to cancer couldn’t possibly see a future with a woman still fighting it.

But Jensen Grant followed me into the mountains, and out here there's no more hiding.

Jensen
Sloane Winslow turned my world upside down then disappeared without even telling me her real name. Fourteen months later, I still haven't figured out how to forget her.

When I find out she's heading into the backcountry alone, I don't think twice. My whole life has been about taking care of people. It’s the only way I know how to matter.

But Sloane wants to save herself. And somewhere between shared tents and trail mix confessions, I realize the woman I came to protect might be the one who finally sees me as something more than what I can give.

I just have to convince her I'm worth the risk.

Satisfying, yet bittersweet to leave Skylark! With the final book in her beloved Skylark series, Major is bringing us the long awaited story of Sloane. I’ve been invested in this series since the very first page of book one, and it’s been an absolutely wonderful series filled with friendship, family and love in a smalltown. I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent with this core group of friends as they each found their happily ever after. I wish there were a few more of them so we could stick around longer! That said, Sloane’s storyline about chasing the author that inspired her fell flat for me. I loved her and I loved Jensen and their story was addictive and really enjoyable, but the veer away from the town that we’ve fallen so hard for was disappointing. I would have enjoyed more time with her and Jensen, more of seeing the improved connection with her brother and just more time of these wonderful friends basking in each other a little more. I’m sad to see them go.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a close-knit group of friends who rally hard to love and support each other through thick and thin and cheer each other on as each one finds their forever love. I recommend reading the series in order so you can get the true feel of each couple and their journey.

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* Review * RAIN OR SHINE by E.C. Land

July 21, 2026 Leave a Comment

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Rain or Shine by E.C. Land
Series: Fallen Meadows #2
on July 18, 2026
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When your world is always stormy, it's easy to hide from the sunshine...

Tyler
After all that I've been through, there's nothing I won't do to protect what matters most. I've devoted my life to this ranch and my son, and I promised I’d never let anyone get close enough to risk losing either one of them again.

But even the most disciplined man makes a mistake from time to time.
I didn't expect to see her again, so when Delaney reenters my life with news that scares us both, the safety I've carefully built for myself shatters. It was just one night of weakness, but now it ties us together forever. I've been down this road before, and I'm terrified of how the journey will end.

She's far too young to shoulder this burden alone, but the ranch is expanding, and there's no room for distractions. Delaney thinks she’s cursed to lose everyone she loves. I’m terrified that if I trust her, I’ll lose the son I’ve spent years shielding from the world. But the day our lives change forever is coming soon, and it's time for me to decide: do I keep guarding my heart like a fortress, or do I step up and be the man everyone needs me to be?

Highly addictive and endearing! The second book in E.C. Land’s Fallen Meadows series revolves around ranch manager Tyler and Mammon from the MC’s little sister Delaney. They were both interesting characters who were quick to draw me in with their backstories, and his kiddo sealed the deal of loving them to bits because he’s so adorable. The tension is high as each has their own drama they are dealing with as they meet, are instantly drawn to each other and finagle their way through the passion, angst and outside forces to find love and settle in for a lifetime of happiness. There were some spots that could have been filled in a tad more, but overall the characters were well developed and the storyline fast paced. I can’t wait to see what this series still has in store for us!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blitz/Review * NOT A GENTLEMAN by Lani Lynn Vale

July 14, 2026 Leave a Comment

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* Release Blitz/Review * NOT A GENTLEMAN by Lani Lynn Vale

Not A Gentleman by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: Don't Date Him #7
on July 14, 2026
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Gentry found Sage on the worst day of her life.

He saves her from a fate worse than hell, and in return, she ruins his life.

Not on purpose, though.

No, the men who think to rule her life don’t like that she has a champion on her side and realize the best way to get back at her is to go through him.

They find a really great way to do it, too.

They frame him for a crime he didn’t intentionally commit and sentence him to spend thirteen years in prison. As an added bonus, they take his child—the one thing that matters most to him— just to remind him that they hold all the power.

But Sage will never let them have any power over her.

That’s why, the day before he’s sentenced to prison, Sage offers the only protection she can think to give him. Her hand in marriage.

For seven years, Sage fights to get her husband-in-name-only free.

Just when she thinks she’s close, she gets the news. Her husband has died in a prison riot, leaving her free to marry another.

That’s when she decides to run.

And where does her running take her? Right into the arms of a man who was supposed to be dead.

Highly emotional and filled to the brim with heart, sass and sexual tension! Vale is on fire with her Don’t Date Him series. Each hero seems to get better and better and delivers on angst, formidability and utter attraction. Gentry and Sage never had a chance to get to know each other before tragedy struck and he paid the price for lending a hand when she needed it most. Believing him dead after years of trying to right the wrong done to him, she sets out to move on with her life only to realize she has landed where she did because of strings he pulled, and he’s actually alive. Drama ensues with multiple twists that we weren’t expecting. The characters are both really easy to like and I was hooked on them right from the start. Loved them together and can’t wait to get to the next book in the series!

I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves a super sexy contemporary romance filled to the brim with heart, intensity and a mega happily ever after in each book.

Title: Not a Gentleman

Series: Don’t Date Him #7

Author: Lani Lynn Vale

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience

Grumpy (Her) / Sunshine (Him), Enemies to Lovers

Release Date: July 14, 2026

BLURB

Gentry found Sage on the worst day of her life.

He saves her from a fate worse than hell, and in return, she ruins his life.

Not on purpose, though.

No, the men who think to rule her life don’t like that she has a champion on her side and realize the best way to get back at her is to go through him.

They find a really great way to do it, too.

They frame him for a crime he didn’t intentionally commit and sentence him to spend thirteen years in prison. As an added bonus, they take his child—the one thing that matters most to him— just to remind him that they hold all the power.

But Sage will never let them have any power over her.

That’s why, the day before he’s sentenced to prison, Sage offers the only protection she can think to give him. Her hand in marriage.

For seven years, Sage fights to get her husband-in-name-only free.

Just when she thinks she’s close, she gets the news. Her husband has died in a prison riot, leaving her free to marry another.

That’s when she decides to run.

And where does her running take her? Right into the arms of a man who was supposed to be dead.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

UNIVERSAL

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE

DON’T DATE HIM SERIES

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS

COMING SOON

Releasing August 4

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.

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