Story Blurb  When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down and his phone dies, he treks into a posh private country club to call a tow truck, where he encounters the alluring Chloe Clifford, the manic pixie dream girl who captivates him immediately with her sense of adventure and penchant for stealing champagne. Sparks fly during a moonlight kiss and the enamored pair can’t wait to see each other again, but when Sig finally arrives to meet his dad’s new girlfriend over dinner, Chloe is confusingly also there. Turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mother. Oh, and they’re engaged. Sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister. Though the pair is now wary of being involved romantically, Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, yearns to escape her controlling mother. Sig promises to teach her the ins and outs of independence in Boston—but not inside his bedroom. They both know there can never be more than friendship between a famous hockey player and his high-society, soon-to-be stepsister. But keeping their relationship platonic grows harder amid the developing family drama, especially knowing they were meant for so much more… My Thoughts/Opinion I was riding my high from Au Pair Affair and this follow up book had just come out so I decided to grab it. We met Sig and Chloe in the previous book and there was plenty of chemistry. I did enjoy this book. Their chemistry (however forbidden) leapt off the page and my heart broke for the pressure they were both under to stay away from each other. While it wasn't as good as Au Pair Affair in my opinion, I still really enjoyed it and was so happy they were able to get their HEA! Favorite Quote: “Do you love her?" "I exist for her.”

Story Blurb Tallulah is smart, vivacious, and studying to be a marine biologist. She’s also twenty-six and broke. So when Burgess, a battle-scarred hockey veteran and newly single dad, offers her a job as his live-in nanny, she jumps at the opportunity to get paid while living in a super fancy neighborhood and being around Lissa, his cool but introverted tween. Her tween charge isn’t the only one who could use some help fitting in, though. According to…well, everyone except Burgess, he needs to get back on the dating scene, and adventurous Tallulah is just the girl to show him how. But as boundaries are slowly crossed and Burgess finds himself pulled between his daughter, who wants her parents back together, and his insane chemistry with Tallulah, a huge rift is formed, and Tallulah does the “right” thing—breaks her own heart and walks away. Though Burgess knows it’s for the best—he’s too jaded, with too much baggage—a chance meeting, and a new push from his daughter, forces him to put everything on the line and fight to prove he learned his lessons well and is worthy of a happily ever after with Tallulah.  My Thoughts/Opinion Tessa Bailey is an author who is either a hit or miss for me. This book was a total Capital H Hit. Burgess Abraham is my current favorite Alpha hero. Holy smokes, he is amazing. The chemistry and the hotness in this book cannot be overstated. I loved the complexity of their relationship, Tallulah's heartbreaking back story, and the added complication of a tween intent of getting her parents back together. This book is going on my re-read shelf for sure! Favorite Quote: “I want to get attached, Tallulah,” he said on top of her mouth. “Nah, I’m already more than a little obsessed with you, aren’t I? You start babbling my name while I spoon-feed you orgasms, I will get attached. Happily. Just like I’ll happily knock out anyone else who tries. Be. Sure.”

Story Blurb Gwen Jackson is a self-taught professional violinist. Xander Thorne is the exact opposite—a rock star cellist with a bad attitude. They both play in the Manhattan Pops, and their styles couldn’t be more different. When Gwen is offered first chair of the orchestra (a role Xander has coveted for years), she can’t help but notice a hostile sense of competition between them…but also an electric chemistry, as they’re forced to work together. As they compose and play songs together, it’s clear that their powerful connection could make for a performance that will blow everyone’s minds. But can their slowly growing romance survive the pressures of success? My Thoughts/Opinion Read this book. There is so much depth. So much brokenness. So many decisions. Some good, some bad, some terrible. The richness of this story and the the testing of the love between Gwen and Xander. Mwah - chef's kiss! Kudos to Julie Soto on this story. I read it in two sittings, in less than 24 hours. Yes, it was that good! Favorite Quote: “Look, I don’t know what you want from me, but—” “Anything.” Black eyes looked down on her, and he took a shaking breath. “Everything.”

Story Blurb After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there’s no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it’s impossible to know who to trust. Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves—her dragons, her family, her home, and him. Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything. They need an army. They need power. They need magic. And they need the one thing only Violet can find—the truth. But a storm is coming...and not everyone can survive its wrath. My Thoughts/Opinion Well, I have waited for more than a year to jump back into the Empyrean World of dragons and magic and of course, my favorite shadow daddy! I'm happy to say that not only did this book not disappoint, it is probably my favorite of the series so far. If you haven't started this journey yet, start at Fourth Wing and jump in with me. This is (and will probably forever be) my favorite Romantasy series! Favorite Quote: “I’m jealous of the armor that holds you when I can’t, the sheets on your bed that caress your skin every night, and the blades that feel your hands.”

Story Blurb Do not touch the sword. Do not turn the key. Do not open the gate. Twenty-four-year-old Saeris Fane is good at keeping secrets. No one knows about the strange powers she possesses, or the fact that she has been picking pockets and stealing from the Undying Queen’s reservoirs for as long as she can remember. In the land of the unforgiving desert, there isn’t much a girl wouldn’t do for a glass of water. But a secret is like a knot. Sooner or later, it is bound to come undone. When Saeris comes face-to-face with Death himself, she inadvertently reopens a gateway between realms and is transported to a land of ice and snow. The Fae have always been the stuff of myth, of legend, of nightmares…but it turns out they’re real, and Saeris has landed right in the middle of a centuries-long conflict that might just get her killed. The first of her kind to tread the frozen mountains of Yvelia in over a thousand years, Saeris mistakenly binds herself to Kingfisher, a handsome Fae warrior, who has secrets and nefarious agendas of his own. He will use her Alchemist’s magic to protect his people, no matter what it costs him… or her. Death has a name. It is Kingfisher of the Ajun Gate. His past is murky. His attitude stinks. And he’s the only way Saeris is going to make it home. Be careful of the deals you make, dear child. The devil is in the details... My Thoughts/Opinion I just finished the audio of this book and let me just say, WHEW!! First of all, the story is fantastic. The plot is rich and unique. The characters Saeris and Kingfisher, are smart and their enemies to lovers banter is some of the best I have ever read. The tension is on point. So much tension on so many levels. I've heard (and I have to agree) the the audio is THE way to go on this one. Great performances. Very glad I was listening with ear buds...lol The ending was epic and I was so sad I couldn't just keep listening to what comes next. Netflix has plans to adapt this story and I can't wait. I can only hope they do it justice. Favorite Quote: "Because she is moonlight. The mist that shrouds the mountains. The bite of electricity in the air before a storm. The smoke that rolls across a battlefield before the killing starts. You have no idea what she is. What she could be. You should call her Majesty ."

Story Blurb Love is a sacrifice at the altar of power. In the wake of the Kejari, everything Oraya once thought to be true has been destroyed. A prisoner in her own kingdom, grieving the only family she ever had, and reeling from a gutting betrayal, she no longer even knows the truth of her own blood. She’s left only with one certainty: she cannot trust anyone, least of all Raihn. Raihn’s own nobles are none too eager to accept a Turned king, especially one who was once a slave. And the House of Blood digs their claws into the kingdom, threatening to tear it apart from the inside. When Raihn offers Oraya a secret alliance, taking the deal is her only chance at reclaiming her kingdom–and gaining her vengeance against the lover who betrayed her. But to do so, she’ll need to harness a devastating ancient power, intertwined with her father’s greatest secrets. But with enemies closing in on all sides, nothing is as it seems. As she unravels her past and faces her future, Oraya finds herself forced to choose between the bloody reality of seizing power―and the devastating love that could be her downfall. My Thoughts/Opinion Note - I would suggest you read the novella Six Scorched Roses before you dive into this one. Oh my goodness, the end of book one in this series left me on the edge of my seat so I was very excited to jump into this book. It continued to build an amazing world and the characters were even richer and more complex than the first book. I don't think it's a huge secret if you read the blurb above that Oraya and Raihn are broken. While I still really enjoyed this book and the duet's resolution, I felt like the first half of the book was a little slower than I would have liked. Totally totally worth sticking with it and I am very definitely excited to read the next duet in this series. Favorite Quote: ...and when he spoke, I could feel his breath on my forehead. "Just want you to know, Oraya," he murmured, "that you were the best part of it. The best part of all of it."

Story Blurb For humans and vampires, the rules of survival are the same: never trust, never yield, and always – always – guard your heart. The adopted human daughter of the Nightborn vampire king, Oraya carved her place in a world designed to kill her. Her only chance to become something more than prey is entering the Kejari: a legendary tournament held by the goddess of death herself. But winning won’t be easy amongst the most vicious warriors from all three vampire houses. To survive, Oraya is forced to make an alliance with a mysterious rival. Everything about Raihn is dangerous. He is a ruthless vampire, an efficient killer, an enemy to her father’s crown… and her greatest competition. Yet, what terrifies Oraya most of all is that she finds herself oddly drawn to him. But there’s no room for compassion in the Kejari. War brews, shattering everything that Oraya thought she knew about her home. And Raihn may understand her more than anyone – but their blossoming attraction could be her downfall, in a kingdom where nothing is more deadly than love. My Thoughts/Opinion The Crowns of Nyaxia series came highly recommended to me and now I understand why. The world building was easy to follow and the plot was fantastic. I loved that no one was who they seemed to be. Oraya and Raihn face deadly trials and grow to trust each other until they shouldn't. The twist at the end of this book gutted me, but fortunately, I was able to jump to book two in the duet. And I did. Immediately. Favorite Quote: “I would beg," he murmured. "For you, I would. You have...destroyed me, Oraya. Do you know that?"

Story Blurb Hallie Barrett's life has imploded after she's dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online series she was producing. Without a new show to present for the company competition, she’ll be out of a job. But inspiration can come from the strangest places . . . like the most handsome guy she’s ever seen passionately discussing Bigfoot on a late-night docuseries. Hayden Hargrove made a name for himself as a cryptid expert on his hit podcast, and is intrigued by the plucky, blue-haired producer who offers him the opportunity to lead his own web show. When the production team sees that Hayden’s solo on-screen presence is bad enough to make a ghost blanch, Hallie jumps on camera too, hitting him (and his cryptids) with a healthy dose of skepticism—and enough chemistry to electrify their show to the top of the competition. As Hayden and Hallie investigate the unknown, they unearth feelings for each other that shake their beliefs to the core. In their search for Mothman, aliens, and the truth, the most elusive discovery might just be learning to love again. My Thoughts/Opinion This book was on my October TBR and I'm so glad I didn't push it to next year's fall season. The book had fantastic characters, super slow-burn chemistry, and a unique and really fun premise. I loved it so much. The witty banter is so so good, the backstories (especially Hayden's) is so strong, and there is so much to love about these two. Don't sleep on this book. I'm very much looking forward to the next book from this author! Favorite Quote: “When you’re around, it’s impossible to look away. You are the only thing I see. He’s an idiot for not knowing you make everything you touch better. Please don’t believe anything coming out of the mouth of a guy who still has frosted tips.”

Story Blurb Elite ballerina Allie Rousseau is no stranger to pressure. With her mother’s eyes always watching, perfection was expected, no matter the cost. But when an injury jeopardizes all she’s sacrificed for, Allie returns to her summer home to heal and recover. But the memories she’s tried to forget rush in and threaten to take her under. As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis knows that hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. He’s always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time, especially when it came to Allie Rousseau…until the night he left for basic. After the biggest regret of his life, the secrets he keeps mean he can never be with the one woman he wants more than his next breath. When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s past and present might be endlessly complicated. The thread that tied them to each other all those years ago may have unraveled, but the truth could pull them back together, or drive them apart forever. My Thoughts/Opinion I genuinely don't think Rebecca Yarros could write a book I don't absolutely love. And every single one is deep in different ways. I think the thing I loved most about Variation was that so many people in this story were doing all the wrong things for sincerely right reasons. But their decisions, including Allie's and Hudson's, almost kept them from a future together. As with all of RY's books, the depth of emotion and the flawed nature of the characters make for such a realistic and emotional read. I could go on and on, but just do yourself a favor and read this one. Chef's Kiss! Favorite Quote: “The second her gaze lifted to lock with mine, I forgot how to fucking breathe, let alone think. I’d never been hit by lightning, but I bet this was what it felt like.”

Story Blurb She's about to make a deal with the college bad boy... Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she's carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush's attention, she'll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice...even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date. ...and it's going to be oh so good All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he's worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he's all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn't take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn't going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him. My Thoughts/Opinion I am so late to the Elle Kennedy party! This was my first book of hers but I will definitely be reading more. The characters are college-aged, which honestly, I don't read that often. But the story was so dang good. The characters had great depth and both had fully developed, very compelling backstories, but were still written true to their age. And the spice? Whew. Elle Kennedy definitely knows how to write great spice. If you haven't read her before, do yourself a favor and give her a shot! Favorite Quote: “She tries to take a step down the hall, but I tug on her hand and kiss her again, and this time it's not a peck. I kiss her hard, losing myself in her taste and her heat and every damn thing about her. I never expected her. Sometimes people sneak up on you and suddenly you don't know how you ever lived without them.”

Story Blurb Naomi and Luca have been pen-pals since fifth-grade. Well, more like bitter rivals caught in an epic battle of insults and verbal jousting... But what starts as a hilarious chain of hate filled letters, slowly develops into a friendship spanning coasts and years. That is until one day, years later, when the letters suddenly stop. It's been two years since Naomi last heard from Luca. Two years since the letter that changed everything. But when a new envelope turns up out of the blue at her desk at the local news station, Naomi is determined not to let Luca have the final word. My Thoughts/Opinion What a fun enemies (from 5th grade!!) to lovers rom-com. Both Naomi and Luca are hilarious though their humor hides tragic truths. I really liked this book all the way up to about the 80% mark when I felt like the angst and drama was really overdone. As a reader, I got impatient with their never-ending 3rd act breakup. I struggled to understand why they couldn't just talk about the issues, so the last part of the book dragged for me. Other than that, I was a good, fun, well-written read. Favorite Quote: “I fell so hard for you that I couldn’t even enjoy anyone else’s company, because I had already decided that you were the one. I tried to tell myself that I was holding you up on a pedestal, that you couldn’t be as funny, or beautiful, or amazing as I imagined you were. Before I came to Miami, I had convinced myself that I was wrong for thinking I could be in love with someone I had never met. And then I met you in person, and it turns out I was right. Everything that I thought I felt was real. I fell in love with you all over again.”

Story Blurb Falling for the wrong person? Bury your feelings. Painfully shy Callum Flannelly would rather dive into an open grave than take a stranger to dinner. But he can only inherit the family undertaking business under one condition: He must marry before his 35th birthday. Texan animator Lark Thompson moved to Galway, Ireland, to restart her life and career, not be reminded of losing her husband by moving in next to a funeral home. But when she learns of Callum’s dilemma, Lark’s certain she can help him find The One, even if she’s sworn off love herself. Though as the dating project progresses and Lark spends more time with straight-laced, sarcastic Callum, he starts to crack the ice around her grieving heart. And the more joy that vivacious Lark brings to Callum’s grey existence, the less he can imagine letting her return to Texas. If they think they can ignore their connection, they’re dead wrong. My Thoughts/Opinion If you've read any of my previous reviews, you know I'm a HUGE Abby Jimenez fan. So when she blurbed this book, I knew it was a one-click for me. And I am SO glad I trusted her. This book is really well-written and both main characters are quirky, and quirkily (?) perfect for each other. This book has all the feels, you guys. Callum reminded me so much of Jacob from Yours Truly, and Lark's backstory...sigh. I rooted for them both so hard. The premise may seem a little unconventional, but trust me, you won't regret picking this one up! Favorite Quote: “And miss all the moments that send the butterflies loose in your stomach? No way. First date, first kiss, first slow dance. Popping the question and hearing yes. The falling matters, too. Not just the ever after.”