Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️

Tropes: grump/sunshine; age-gap; best friend’s little sister; brother’s best friend; workplace romance; death and grieving

Jessica Peterson’s return to the writing world, The Troublemaker, is an apt reminder of her capacity to write steamy, beautiful romances with a sense of responsibility. This newest book in her Sex & Bonds series balances humor, spice, and a small amount of angst. But this is what Peterson does best. In The Troublemaker, the initial tension revolves around her hero, Brooks, trying to avoid his attraction to his best friend George’s little sister, Greer. But she is too much of a temptation. Once Greer and Brooks fall down the rabbit hole of all things romance, the rest of the story’s tension involves Brooks’s father’s approval. 

However, much of this story focuses on Brooks’s unresolved grief about his sister’s death. In one of the many ways that authors reconcile an age gap, Greer is the more emotionally mature of the two at times, and she helps Brooks voice his grief. Similarly, Brooks helps Greer see she doesn’t always have to be a people pleaser. Both of these messages feel necessary, and Peterson marries them well with the burgeoning love between Brooks and Greer. The story’s gravity becomes profound as Greer and Brooks walk through their challenges hand in hand. 

Even more, I LOVED that Peterson didn’t fall into the trap wrought with a best friend’s little sister/brother’s best friend trope. I detest it when the hero who falls in love with his best friend’s little sister forgoes the uncomfortable talk and allows his friend to talk him out of the relationship. Peterson is deft in creating a storyline that maintains Brooks and Greer’s agency of choice. Peterson crafted these two with a decidedness, allowing the reader to enjoy their journey and grow in their character. 

Jessica Peterson’s The Troublemaker is a delight to read, and there is nothing better than a “grump” falling adoringly in love with his “sunshine” heroine. I cannot wait for more stories in this world if books 1 and 2 are any indication.

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Tropes: second chance romance; sports romance; workplace romance; forbidden romance; single dad; friends to lovers

Devney Perry + Montana + Football is the perfect romance equation. Add to it the wounds of a spurned love, and it becomes a 3-dimensional geometric shape of love. I had long awaited this story because, to date, Perry has eschewed sports romances. However, given her penchant for small-town romance set in the “wilds” of Montana, it feels like a good fit. And her book, Coach, truly lives up to this hype. For as much as I pined for this book, it didn’t disappoint. 

For one, Devney Perry paints the disappointment of lost love in so many shades of angst. Both Ford and Millie encounter this loss in different ways, but it is painful nonetheless. Perry doesn’t dive deep into the angst bucket, but she provides enough of it to tug at heartstrings and draw us deeper into her story. 

Additionally, Ford’s tenacity in winning Millie’s heart is exactly what you need from a story such as Coach. That he’s willing to pursue her is the antidote to Millie’s broken heart (and it makes Perry’s readers swoon too). This is the dream of women everywhere: for a man to admit his mistakes and take action to win a heart. And this is my favorite part of this story. 

Through Millie’s story arc, Perry shows the power of grieving and letting go. She walks Millie carefully through her acceptance of Ford’s choices in the past, and she sets her up to move on. However, Ford’s interest is simply too much to ignore. Even more, Perry highlights the disparity in how men and women are treated in the workplace as Millie must confront the trials associated with pursuing a relationship with Ford in the face of strict workplace rules. 

Finally, Perry adds a precocious daughter to Coach’s mix. Here’s my challenge to romance writers everywhere, though: write a romance with an average kid…or even one that’s fairly awful. Ford’s daughter, Joey, binds Millie and Ford together through her insistence on developing a relationship with Millie. Of course, Ford’s ex must add complications to the mix of this book, but it allows Ford to choose Millie when it counts the most. 

Devney Perry’s Coach was exactly the book I needed this week to remind me why I love her stories so much. Even when her hero is a former NFL football player, the actions and reactions of her characters and their stories feel real, and I found myself lost in the dreaminess of their reconciliation and eventual happily ever after.

In love and romance,

Professor A

The Hustler Next Door by K.A. Tucker is now live!

From the international bestselling author of The Simple Wild and Ten Tiny Breaths comes a new stand-alone enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance.

Justine MacDermott is in what she would call a transition period: squatting in her best friend’s house and working in an appliance store in Polson Falls while the man she was supposed to marry starts a new life with someone else.

She’s definitely not thinking about slashing his tires and wishing his vital extremities would fall off.

When newcomer Garrett Harrington strolls into Murphy’s Appliances looking to buy a refrigerator, Justine convinces herself she’s found her rebound. Or the next love of her life. Either works. But a chance encounter leads her to discover that Garrett isn’t who he made himself out to be, and he’s more interested in hustling her kindly old boss out of his family business—and using her to do it.

Furious at being fooled by yet another man and itching for retribution, Justine enlists the help of unlikely townsfolk to battle Harrington Group’s big-city development plans for Polson Falls.

It’s all going to plan … until Justine finds herself crossing enemy lines.

Download today!

https://bit.ly/3W0UAFj

Available exclusively on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited Jan. 5th

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3THyFSO

Meet K.A. Tucker

K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge.

She is the internationally bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series, He Will Be My Ruin, Until It Fades, Keep Her Safe, The Simple Wild, Be the Girl, and Say You Still Love Me. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, Oprah Mag, and First for Women.

K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto.

Connect with Kathleen

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Irresistibly Broken by J. Saman is now live!

Zaxton 
Aurelia Witlock is an ex-stepsister I forgot long ago. Until she shows up as a design intern at my fashion company.  
And that’s the easy part.  
The part where she stirs my lifeless blood, drawing me away from my soulless, miserable side is another.  
She has no business being here. Her presence far from a coincidence, the more I learn of her secrets and troubled past, the more perilous things become for me. 
I can’t trust her. I can’t fire her. And I can’t claim her full lips with mine.  
Now it’s a keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer situation.  
Except keeping this stunning woman who surprises me at every turn close isn’t as easy as it sounds.  
She’s a delicious load of sunshine wrapped in smiles and enticing laughter. And did I mention the mouth on her? The one that challenges me and calls me the worst sort of names. The one I can’t stop staring at or fantasizing about. 
I’m in trouble. So much trouble. 
And my former bandmates, my brothers in arms and blood, well, they’re at just as much of a loss as I am on how to fix this.  
So where does that leave me?  
In one hell of a mess with a woman who has the power to destroy everything. Including what’s left of my heart.  

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
http://geni.us/IrresistiblyBroken

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3RHiGn1

Meet J. Saman

J. Saman is a USA Today bestselling author who is addicted to Diet Coke, sour candy, and indie rock. She swears way too much (especially after a glass of wine) and has a penchant for sarcasm (or so her husband and children like to tell her).

She’s an admitted lover of second chance romances, love triangles, and the perfect amount of angst. She is best known for writing contemporary romance filled with smart, strong women, and sexy alphas who have a softer side–especially for their women.
 
Connect with J.
Website | https://www.jsamanbooks.com
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Tia Louise has revealed the covers for FORBIDDEN!

Releasing January 12, 2023

FORBIDDEN
By Tia Louise
 
I have one job: Get close and take him out. The only problem is, I want him more.
 
I was barely five when I lost my brother; seven when my father was murdered.
Overnight, I was taken by my mysterious uncle, grafted into a world of crime I didn’t understand and couldn’t escape.
 
The first ten years, I did my best to blend in.
The next four, I reinvented myself, growing stronger, searching for answers. 
Now I have one assignment—take down the man who knows our secrets. 
 
Professor Dirk Winston is my target, and I’m expected to be a good soldier, disguised as a good student.
Only he’s not the passive bookworm I expect. 
He’s ripped muscles, bedroom eyes, dirty mouth, and ready for a fight.
 
But I’ve got my plans of my own, and this hot teacher is going to do more than give me grades and take my panties. 
He’s going to help me get revenge.
 
(FORBIDDEN is a five-alarm-spicy age-gap, student-professor romance with secrets, lies, and answers to all your questions. No cheating. No cliffhanger.)

Cover Designer: Lori Jackson Designs
Photographer: Wander Aguiar

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3N7h6t2

Meet Tia Louise

Tia Louise is the USA TODAY best-selling, award-winning author of super-hot and sexy romances. All her heroes are alphas with hearts of gold, and all her heroines are the smart, sassy ladies who love them.

Connect with Tia
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Text “TiaLouise” to 64600

My best friend, who I’ve always thought was incredible, turned into a smokeshow in a few short hours.

We might have underestimated the youngest Cane brother.

He comes off all sweet and charming, but I bet you he’s the best in bed out of all of them.

A LONG TIME COMING, a brand new, standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn will be releasing on January 10^th in all formats! Don’t miss the fantastic cover below and get ready to fall in love with this sexy romance with a witty take on a romantic comedy classic, My Best Friend’s Wedding. Steamy, laugh-out-loud, and full of charm, these two best friends heat up the pages while proving true love might be right in front of you.

Pre-order your copy today!

https://mybook.to/ALongTimeComing

About A LONG TIME COMING (Coming 1/10/2023):

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a witty take on a romantic comedy classic, My Best Friend’s Wedding. Steamy, laugh-out-loud, and full of charm, these two best friends heat up the pages while proving true love might be right in front of you.

Have you ever heard of a man-in-waiting?

Yeah, neither has my best friend’s soon-to-be monster-in-law. Ooo, sorry, I meant mother-in-law. Nor has she heard of the term, what the bride wants, the bride gets. 

With wedding planning underway and a short timeline, my best friend, Lia, has recruited me to help her battle the snarly beast that is Mrs. Beaver. Not scared at all, I accept the challenge as her man-in-waiting–aka, man of honor–and take matters into my own hands. 

The only problem is, with every second we draw closer to the wedding, I’m starting to see my best girl in a different light.

She’s always been beautiful to me, but now . . . I find myself staring a touch too long. My hand lingering for one more minute. And when she’s upset? Allowing her to sleep in my bed.

And before I know what’s happening, it hits me like a ton of bricks. I’m in love with my best friend. Not just in love, but infatuated. 

No one compares to her and nothing seems to distract me from that realization.

Not the girl I try to date while I help plan Lia’s wedding. 

Not her angry fiancé who thinks I’m growing too close. 

And not the looming deadline of her nuptials. 

Which means, there’s only one thing left for me to do. Prove to Lia I’m the one she should be with instead. But with the pressure of her engagement, the stress from her soon-to-be mother-in-law, and the breath-stealing nerves running through me, I’m finding it a lot harder to claim the girl than I would like to admit. 

Say a little prayer for me . . .

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

https://mybook.to/ALongTimeComing

Read A LONG TIME COMING Four Different Ways!

A LONG TIME COMING Releases January 10th!

Erin Mallon and JF Harding are narrating in duet this sexy romance, and you won’t want to miss their fantastic performances! Grab your earbuds and get ready to dive into this aural sensation!

A LONG TIME COMING will be released on January 10th in a live release on Audible!

ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

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