I’m always excited to pick up a book by Kate Meader and I enjoyed Hockey Wife quite a lot. This opposites attract, quickie Vegas wedding romance was fI’m always excited to pick up a book by Kate Meader and I enjoyed Hockey Wife quite a lot. This opposites attract, quickie Vegas wedding romance was fun to read.
After meeting in a bar in Vegas after the All Star Hockey game and when Dylan finds out he’s been traded to the Chicago Rebels and where socialite Georgia has been left by her two “best friends” these two share conversation, laughter, and eventually exchange vows, but the next morning Georgia is gone and Dylan isn’t exactly happy. When the quickie divorce she informs him she’s getting hits a snafu, she’s decided she wants to stay married to get her parent’s off her back, but he is ready to be done until a phone call from home changes his mind.
While Georgia and Dylan play house platonically we begin to understand what makes these characters tick and we see them grow closer as they share their lives with one another. I had a hard time warming up to Georgia and honestly would have like to see her stand up for herself more with her parents and her user friends, but I was happy to see her grow and change throughout and discover there was more to her than meets the eye. Dylan at 36 is worrying about his career coming towards an end and what his next chapter will be, but I loved the way his team took him in and made him feel he belonged.
Hockey Wife was a feel good story that I enjoyed very much....more
Light ‘Em Up is part of Kelly Jamieson’s Bears Hockey series and also a part of the Bang Brothers, only the Bang in this book is Annie Bang, 4.5 stars
Light ‘Em Up is part of Kelly Jamieson’s Bears Hockey series and also a part of the Bang Brothers, only the Bang in this book is Annie Bang, the youngest sibling, only girl, a former pairs ice skater turned professional skating coach for the New York Bears and she’s going to have to confront Logan Coates, a man she had a fantastic 48 hours with when they both competed in the Olympics and also the man that injured one of her brothers badly in a game. Can you say awkward? Only it really wasn’t, instead it was longing glances, sizzling chemistry, and a few barbs to make it interesting.
I was immediately drawn into the story and I’ll admit I didn’t put it down until I finished; read it cover to cover and I’m not sorry in the least. I loved that they had a past they both had good memories about and that Logan was genuinely sorry about the accident that hurt her brother and swore to her it truly was an accident not intentional. Most of all I appreciated that Logan wanted to change his playing style not only because he wanted to move up from the fourth line but he didn’t really want to be an enforcer he wanted to contribute in other ways. Enter the new team owners, new coach, and his teammates to give him the courage to make those changes and not only that confront his bullying father. Watching him navigate all the feelings he had towards his father who wanted him to be a “goon” and understanding he could play the game he wanted not the one his father thought he should play was satisfying and uplifting.
Meanwhile as Annie and Logan grow closer Annie’s mom comes to town to try and get her and her former skating partner and current roommate together as a couple which leads to her confession she’s involved with Logan, the man her entire family hates.
As they both navigate their relationships with their families, they both realize how much they want each other in their life.
Kelly Jamieson once again offers up and amazing and sizzling romance. As a long time reader the icing on the cake was seeing more of the Heller brothers (the new team owners) and a mention of a Wynn in this book. ...more
If You Want Me is marginally better than the first book in this series but still not what I expect from author Helena Hunting. I will say these characIf You Want Me is marginally better than the first book in this series but still not what I expect from author Helena Hunting. I will say these characters were developed better but in this case the fact the heroine was 20 (and 12 when she met the hero) and has had a crush on the hero since she was a teenager this was a bit of an ick factor there. On top of that everyone kept talking about how mature she was yet she goaded the hero when he asked her repeatedly to please stop teasing him. Aurora (Peggy/Hammer) was the team "princess" with her dad being the goalie and him having custody. His best friend Hollis has watched her grow up and has helped her dad "protect" her from men and life. To be honest, I ddn't feel the heat between them; it felt forced. And the fact that she wouldn't take no for an answer bugged me because if the tables had been turned people would be screaming about the harrassment. I'm beginning to think this series just isn't for me. ...more
I truly enjoyed The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey; it had the perfect amount of longing and the slow burn was necessary for this age gap, close proxiI truly enjoyed The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey; it had the perfect amount of longing and the slow burn was necessary for this age gap, close proximity, work place romance. That said, had there not been a third act break-up especially the way it played out this book would have been 5 stars. This couple overcame some big obstacles to be together and the insensitivity of the break-up was not needed and IMHO ruined the flow of their relationship and the story. Yes, I get why Ms. Bailey wrote it in as the heroine had something to prove to herself, but I think it could have been handled better. Burgess, a 37 year old single hockey player dad hires Tallulah, a 26 year old quirky marine biologist going to grad school to help with his 12 year old daughter whom he has custody of during the week. His ex-wife has the weekends along with her fiancé. His best friend and her best friend recently got engaged and he hires her without meeting her trusting their judgment. Tallulah has some baggage and after seeing a clip of Burgess in a brawl as he is an enforcer on his team she has second thoughts about taking the job but eventually decides to do it. I absolutely loved the way Tallulah came in and kind of took over Burgess’s life and made it better with his daughter Lissa and with his younger teammates. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind despite being a bit afraid of him at the start and she had very insightful advice and best of all he listened to her. He might not always agree with her but he was such a smitten kitten he did listen, he took it to heart, and he implemented it and was amazed. Burgess on the other hand offered to help Tallulah overcome her fear of doing new things brought on by the trauma she endured by being by her side while she did them. He knew she needed to know she was safe and he aimed to protect her from everything and everyone. While I wish the last third of this book had been written differently, I still enjoyed this story very much. The characters were wonderful and well developed, I loved the secondary characters as much as the main characters, and the heat between these two was sizzling off the page even before they finally got together. The Au Pair Affair was a wonderful romance from Tessa Bailey and I highly recommend it. ...more
Evading the Enforcer was a pretty cute enemies to lovers, fake date romance. Next door neighbors get off on the wrong foot but soon find fake dating wEvading the Enforcer was a pretty cute enemies to lovers, fake date romance. Next door neighbors get off on the wrong foot but soon find fake dating will solve both of their problems. Sweet, fun, and sexy; it was a good read.
Niall O’Rourke is new to the Charleston Coyotes NHL team after asking for a trade when his girlfriend cheats on him with his teammate and best friend. All Niall wants to do it settle in to his new home and play hockey, he doesn’t expect the perky next door neighbor and although he knows he was a bit of an a$$ to her when they met he doesn’t want or need any woman in his life.
Lucy is a podcaster with a Bigfoot show that is quite popular. She’s hoping to syndicate soon and getting a big name on her show might just propel her ratings enough for that to happen. When her best friend and ex-neighbor tells her she should welcome her new neighbor to the street she tries but despite having the reputation as a “nice guy” she finds him to be an insufferable a-hole.
Niall’s ex brings some media attention and drama to his life he doesn’t need so when his visiting sister suggests he help Lucy with her podcast he decides that maybe they can pretend to date and do each other a favor. I enjoyed watching them work together, the way Niall slowly reveals why he doesn’t open up to people and before long they go from fake to real.
Evading the Enforcer was a quick read, it wasn’t overly deep but I did find it enjoyable....more
Beth Bolden offers up a grand slam in Hot Streak, the tale of a minor league catcher towardsFull review coming 5/6/24 www.simplylovebooks.com
4.5 stars
Beth Bolden offers up a grand slam in Hot Streak, the tale of a minor league catcher towards the end of his career traded once again to help get the hot shot highly touted to be an ace starting pitcher with control issues settled down and straightened out. I loved the dynamics of this story, with a 10 year age gap Jackson has played a lot of baseball and he’s a reliable, every day kind of catcher as well as a power hitter and Connor, well he has been told his whole life his arm is spectacular and he has a cocky attitude and takes advantage of it by doing what he wants and ignoring the signs his catcher gives him. Jackson soon shows him that the right catcher isn’t going to play that game and while it angers Connor, he also realizes that maybe; just maybe he needs to watch, listen, and learn....more
Dirty D-Man was a sweet and sexy best friend’s little sister story, difference being this couple has known each other for over 10 years and been frienDirty D-Man was a sweet and sexy best friend’s little sister story, difference being this couple has known each other for over 10 years and been friend’s themselves until a misunderstanding put them at odd. Moving in with her brother and his roommate wasn’t on Piper’s list of things to do but necessity requires it, but when her brother Ben must recuperate at their parent’s home, that leaves Piper alone in the apartment with Bowie, the man that rejected her years ago. I really enjoyed watching this couple discover each other as adults. Piper’s family believes her to be a total screw-up when in reality she works very hard for doing almost anything to pay her own way and when Bowie realizes how wrong everyone is about her; he aims to make sure everyone sees just how wrong they’ve been about her. I loved Bowie’s fierceness in his feelings towards Piper and how he wasn’t going to let anything or anyone including his best friend stand in their way. A great addition to this series!...more
I've enjoyed this series but I just could not connect with these characters or their story at all. i struggled all the way through, on top of that I fI've enjoyed this series but I just could not connect with these characters or their story at all. i struggled all the way through, on top of that I felt like parts of it were missing. The interactions with Bowie and Piper just stopped early on and that felt off, so much of this book just didn't feel finished. ...more
Words cannot describe how much I loved Bountiful by Sarina Bowen, yet I’m going to find the right ones to do this book justice. This surprise baby stoWords cannot describe how much I loved Bountiful by Sarina Bowen, yet I’m going to find the right ones to do this book justice. This surprise baby story was filled with emotion, laughter, poignant moments, joy and love in all forms. While this couple’s story wasn’t easy, the way it played out was beautiful, and I was engaged from the first chapter to the last word. Let me start by saying Ms. Bowen took a character, Zara, whom I wasn’t all that crazy about from previous books and made me relish in her strength, her courage, and tenacity. She knew that having a child on her own without even naming the father would bring speculation and of course more whispers about her “choices” in life, but she knew more than anything she wanted her child as was her right, her choice and I applaud her for that just as I applaud any other woman who makes the right choice for them, a choice many women today don’t have or have to travel states away to see through. Zara loved managing her uncle’s bar, but once she found out she was pregnant she knew she was going to have to figure out a different kind of job and with the help of her family and her ex’s girlfriend (who was NOT her baby’s daddy) she became co-owner of a new business and though she relies on her family for childcare help and her apartment (and they are happy to oblige) she still feels like she’s not doing the best she can. When her summer fling from 2 years ago walks in to her coffee shop she knows she’s going to have to tell him about his daughter and hope that he doesn’t hold it against her that she wasn’t successful in tracking him down. Dave Beringer is very excited to run into Zara again but when she tells him about his daughter he doesn’t take the news so well. I’ll also admit I was disappointed in Dave at first, but he really made up for it; he just had to wrap his head about it and get a few slaps upside the head (figuratively) from his younger sister. Dave spent weeks showing up for Zara and their daughter, Nicole and he fell hard and fast for both of them while getting his own sh*t together and working on how to be a dad, something he never thought he’d do. There were quite a few ups and downs and some obstacles in Zara and Dave’s way, but with hard work, determination, and communication they would through it all and came out the other side – together, happy, and a family. I loved Bountiful; simply put it was a perfect romance that I found impossible to put down.
Hot Stuff is the first book in her new Hot As Puck series and it was a smokin’ way to start off the Full review coming 2/12/24 www.simplylovebooks.com
Hot Stuff is the first book in her new Hot As Puck series and it was a smokin’ way to start off the series. This book had it all; a meet-unusual (can’t call it cute but it was something), two driven, intelligent main characters, fabulous secondary characters, an intricate plot, and best of all no big blowup leading to a “break-up” only for it to all be miraculously fixed in the last 10 pages. Seriously, Ms. Cahill gave readers an amazing first book in a series and a reason for readers to be salivating for the next one!...more
4.5 stars Getting drunk married in Vegas isn’t new to romance, but the fact that these two got drunk married so they couldn’t marry anyone else or fall4.5 stars Getting drunk married in Vegas isn’t new to romance, but the fact that these two got drunk married so they couldn’t marry anyone else or fall into the love trap was a new one especially when they had no way to contact each other and randomly meet a year later at the airport where Liam was on his way to find Stormy so they could file for divorce so she could be free of him, only she wants to stay married. What? I loved that this book was a bit complicated, both characters had been burned before their Las Vegas wedding yet when they meet they feel a connection and a friendship was formed. With wedding vows and a pre-nup written on cocktail napkins these two are determined. I honestly loved both these characters, Liam was kind of a loner but Stormy helped him bond with his teammates. Working in a family business, not only her family but her ex-fiancé’s family, Stormy has always done the right thing, but with Liam she feels she’s able to be her own person. I’d like to say once these two meet again its all sunshine and roses, but it’s not. The chemistry they had in Vegas but didn’t act on is still there, but being together for real is a bit of a roller coaster ride and I was in the backseat with my hands raised above my head along for the ride. I fell hard for these two, loved how different they were but how easily they grew to depend on one another and they always, always had each other’s back. I loved this one!...more
This one was a bit of a disappointment the characters and the relationship weren't developed very well. One of Axel's one night stands winds up on hisThis one was a bit of a disappointment the characters and the relationship weren't developed very well. One of Axel's one night stands winds up on his doorstep in labor and the next thing he knows he's a single dad to his son, Otto and has no clue how to handle it. Nora his next door neighbor who he'd hoped for more with is moving out because her employer relocated to France and she's out of a job and her home. Axel hires her to help him for a month and she does hoping to find another job instead they wind up in a whirlwind relationship with a supposed expiration date that doesn't expire. Honestly, this one kind of bordered on ridiculous and I had a hard time getting into it because of that. ...more
Dirty Talker is a fake relationship between two people who really, honestly don’t know much about each other at all. Wade needs a date to take home foDirty Talker is a fake relationship between two people who really, honestly don’t know much about each other at all. Wade needs a date to take home for his brother’s wedding to avoid a sticky situation and he’s just met Harlow who is p*ssed off she was overlooked for a promotion she should have gotten and just wants a break from life so she agrees to go with him for 10 days. Honestly this was such a great set-up and we really got to see their personalities come out in this book. Wade was a fun loving and easy going guy and Harlow was a by the book rule follower, so it was hilarious watching her study up on everything about Wade, his family, and his hometown and him looking at her like she was a bit crazy. Thing is her planning saved him more than once and he slowly began to realize how much he liked her and wanted their fake relationship to be real. Harlow however has kept a big part of her life secret and that throws Wade just a bit. I enjoyed how much Harlow began to see that maybe a fit, athletic guy was more her type than she realized. What surprised me a bit and it’s not a bad things is this book had a lot more depth than the other books in this series so far and I for one floved every unexpected twist and turn. ...more
I’m a sucker for a single parent romance and this one was extra wonderful because it was two best friends figuring out they wanted more than just frieI’m a sucker for a single parent romance and this one was extra wonderful because it was two best friends figuring out they wanted more than just friendship. Cammy has been a single mom since she got pregnant and her son’s father didn’t want the responsibility and took off (even got married to someone else), but Cammy’s sister has been there for her always and her brother in law’s teammates have all considered Cammy a little sister as well, except Rux who has claimed best friend status. These two were so cute but when Cammy’s ex and her son’s father moves back to town and wants to be a part of his son’s life and wants Cammy as well, she doesn’t want that and the green jealousy monster rears in Rux. I adored these two realizing that they had deeper feelings that friends and wanted more from one another. I loved how well they knew each other, their private jokes, and the fact that Rux loved Cammy’s son, Matty, as much as she did. So much goodness in this one, but most of all that they’d always been there for each other and the trust they had formed an unbreakable bond....more
4.5 stars I’ve always been a fan of the one night stand comes back to bite a character on the a$$ and man does that play out big time in Dirty Hookup, 4.5 stars I’ve always been a fan of the one night stand comes back to bite a character on the a$$ and man does that play out big time in Dirty Hookup, only one of them doesn’t remember the ONS and can’t figure out why the gorgeous redhead he’s infatuated with looks at him like gum on the bottom of her shoe. Seriously, Quinn and Georgie’s past was quite complicated and I was there for every moment of how their love story played out. Quinn is a player with a capital P, but he’s a pretty great guy; kind and loyal. However, there is something about Georgie that makes him want to change his ways. Georgie grew up with a no nonsense dad and four brothers and she can throw down with the best of them especially since she is a goalie on a men’s hockey team. She has no use for Quinn and has a really good reason why, but she’s all for using him for some fun. As they continue to enjoy one another, Georgie begins to see that there is more to Quinn than she realized. I absolutely enjoyed this run, low angst and all kinds of sexy story. Reviewers note: While this is a hockey series, if you are looking for a lot of hockey in this book it’s really not there....more
I almost didn't read this one because the last two books were not very good, but I was curious after reading the synopsis and decided to try and I'm gI almost didn't read this one because the last two books were not very good, but I was curious after reading the synopsis and decided to try and I'm glad I did. Stella discovering her fiance has been cheating on her the night before her wedding and his twin agreeing to go through with the ceremony so her dying mother will know she is settled made for an interesting story. Even more so because Ben has been has wanted Stella since before his brother swooped in and asked her out. I loved watching them grow closer and Stella realizing how different the two were and while I'm sure some people will have issues with her going from one brother to the other, whatever, Ben and Stella were perfect for each other and obviously Ben didn't care because she was worth it. Really enjoyed this one from start to finish....more
I liked this one but I didn't love it. The way they met was cute, but then the whole blow up about Elle's career was over the top and childish. Both FI liked this one but I didn't love it. The way they met was cute, but then the whole blow up about Elle's career was over the top and childish. Both Ford and Elle had more than a few childish moments and I kept waiting for them to finally have a big show down about her attitude towards a new arena and the fact Ford was captain of the team, but it didn't happen they just went with "we have a difference of opinions." It was okay but mostly surface, nothing very deep about it. ...more
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