Category: Uncategorized

Pure Seduction, an all-new small-town second-chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Ella Frank is available now!

Small towns are definitely not for me. Probably because I was born in one, raised in one, and eventually run out of one. The understanding was that I would one day return to Chamberlin California. After all, it is my namesake. What my father didn’t count on however, was that once he sent me away, I would never come back—at least not until he was gone.

Which brings me to now, his wake, at the family winery that was supposed to be mine. It also brings me to her. The sweet girl I left behind. The girl who has since grown into the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on—Laurel Anderson.

She’s looking at me as though she wishes I was the one she watched get buried this morning. But she’s out of luck. I’m alive and kicking. I’m also stuck in this town with nothing to do but wait until the will is read.

Well, nothing to do but see if I can seduce the pure and passionate Laurel, and change that anger I see in her eyes to something just as fiery…desire.

***

The last time I saw Noah Chamberlin, I was a doe-eyed innocent and he was the boy of my dreams. My future was all planned out down to the wedding dress, until one morning I woke up and he was gone.

You’d think after all these years, I’d feel the same blind indignation and rage that has haunted me since that day. Instead, the second I set eyes on him again, I felt something altogether unwanted and unexpected—lust.

If the rumors are true, he’s only going to be in Chamberlin for a few days. I can handle that, as long as he stops looking at me as though he’s thinking about the last time we were together.

But when Noah’s forced to stay and run the family business, it puts us in dangerously close proximity. And in a town this small, that can only mean one thing—trouble.

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About Ella Frank
Ella Frank is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Temptation series, including Try, Take, and Trust and is the co-author of the fan-favorite erotic serial, Sex Addict. Her Exquisite series has been praised as “scorching hot!” and “enticingly sexy!”

A life-long fan of the romance genre, Ella writes contemporary and erotic fiction.

Some of her favorite authors include Tiffany Reisz, Kresley Cole, Riley Hart, J.R. Ward, Erika Wilde, Gena Showalter, and Carly Philips.

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Website: https://www.ellafrank.com

It was the perfect plan.
I needed a wife–temporarily–in order to inherit the family business.
And she needed a favor–the kind that takes nine months to deliver.

Call Me Crazy, an all-new steamy and heartfelt small-town romance from USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow is available now!

We had it all worked out, from the no-touching policy on our wedding night (her rule) to the no-falling-in-love decree (mine). She’d marry me, I’d give her the means to have the baby she’d always wanted, and one year later we’d amicably part ways with no hassle, no demands, and certainly no regrets.

After all, Bianca DeRossi and I are experts at infuriating one another–we’ve been doing it since we were kids. Trouble is, she grew up gorgeous and feisty, and she still knows exactly how to get under my skin.

And that wedding night? Well, it doesn’t exactly go down hands-free.

Then she moves in with me, and I really start to lose my mind. From her sexy little pout to her wicked sense of humor to those meatball sandwiches she makes just because she knows they’re my favorite . . . I find myself wanting to break every rule we put in place.

Our story was never supposed to end with happily ever after.
But call me crazy, I just might be in love with my wife.

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Read Chapter One: http://bit.ly/3seA4lF

About Melanie

USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like Schitt’s Creek, Homeland, and Fleabag. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.

Melanie is the author of the CLOVERLEIGH FARMS series, the ONE & ONLY series, AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

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Beneath the Stars

A Friends-to-Lovers Rockstar Romance from A.L. Jackson

Available Now on Amazon and Free with Kindle Unlimited

 

 

“Haunting. Exquisite. Hot. AL Jackson slayed me heart and soul. Beneath The Stars is a definite favorite and re-read for 2021. I couldn’t get enough of this epic tale of love and redemption.”

-Michelle Heard, USA Today and Wallstreet Journal bestselling author

“Beneath the Stars is nothing short of amazing and I wish that I could give it ten stars.”

-Veronica’s Reading Vault

 

Read on Amazon or with Kindle Unlimited

Listen to the Audio Narrated by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber

Order a Signed Paperback

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DETAILS: 

TITLE: BENEATH THE STARS

RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 22ND, 2020

 

Synopsis

From NYT and USA Today bestselling author A.L. Jackson comes a friends-to-lovers romance about an unattainable rockstar and his best friend’s younger sister…

Maggie Fitzgerald is the last girl I should think about taking to my bed.

On the cusp of turning 21, she has her whole life waiting out ahead of her. Sexy AF while still radiating an innocence that I know better than to taint. 

And here I am, itching to reach out and touch a girl who is so forbidden that just thinking about her feels like committing a mortal sin.

Thing is, I love playing with fire. 

Rhys Manning is everything I shouldn’t want.

Country-rock’s newest superstar.

Fun. Wild. Ready to show the world a good time.

He’s so off-limits it isn’t even funny.

So out of reach he might as well be a poster tacked on my wall.

Too bad every time he looks at me, my heart races out of control.

Now, I’m stuck living with him for the entire summer…

We’re only supposed to be friends. Still, I should have known it was a terrible idea when I started sneaking into his room. Especially when it’s clear he’s keeping secrets.

Secrets that might destroy us both.

One touch, and I want more.

One kiss, and I’m spiraling out of control.

I know it’s reckless to start dancing in the flames.

But in exchange for getting to spend one night with this brooding bad boy? I might be willing to get burned… 

Read on Amazon or with Kindle Unlimited

Listen to the Audio Narrated by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber

Order a Signed Paperback

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“Maggie and Rhys’ story was everything and more and it had me soaring. A.L. Jackson brought her signature touch to this phenomenal story.”

-Ness Reads Book Blog

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GIVEAWAY

Win an Ultimate A.L. Jackson Prize Pack

Kindle Fire, Signed Paperback, Book Nerd Mug, & More!

 

ENTER HERE

 

Read on Amazon or with Kindle Unlimited

Listen to the Audio Narrated by Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber

Order a Signed Paperback

 

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A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, BLEEDING STARS, FIGHT FOR ME, CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART, and FALLING STARS novels. Grab her newest stand-alone, BENEATH THE STARS, a friends-to-lovers rockstar romance.

 

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

 

Be sure not to miss new releases and sales from A.L. Jackson – Sign up to receive her newsletter http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson or text “aljackson” to 33222 to receive short but sweet updates on all the important news.

Connect with A.L.

Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson

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Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Simply put, I want to live in a Max Monroe book. The newest book in their Single Dad Collection, Hot Stuff, is the easy read you need right now. The story follows Garrett, a newly divorced single dad of fraternal twins, and Lauren, a San Diego native who left to go to medical school and become a doctor and has now returned to a new practice. Garrett and Lauren’s meet-cute will make you smile wide. In fact, this entire story will do that. From the first chapter to the epilogue, I simply couldn’t stop smiling over their journey. Of Max Monroe’s books, this one feels like the easiest in terms of story tension. There is a great story here with the realities of being a firefighter as the complication for Lauren and Garrett’s story. However, Max Monroe make Garrett so thoughtful, insightful, and mature that the issues with his job never spoil his burgeoning relationship with Lauren. Even more, much like Holley in Single Dad Seeks Juliet along with other Max Monroe heroines, Lauren is quirky and intelligent. She becomes the perfect partner for Garrett, causing this story to have a high swoon level. She also adds in some necessary laughs, a hallmark of Max Monroe’s storytelling. Basically, her soulful relationship with her pet fish, Fat Frank, will make you titter with glee.

If you read Holley and Jake’s book, and you felt sorry for Garrett, do not despair. Max Monroe have absolutely outfitted him with a story that will quite literally steal your heart. If you need a light, easy read, Hot Stuff is the book you need. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Hot Stuff, an all-new laugh out loud romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe is available now!

Have you ever seen a fireman who’s so insanely sexy you’d actually consider DIY-ing a little at-home arson just so he’d show up at your front door?

Dramatic, I know, but hear me out.

Chiseled hot body, bright blue eyes, and the sexiest smile I’ve ever seen, the first time I saw Garrett Alexander in my exam room, it took everything inside me not to do something crazy like mount him during his yearly physical.

Not only is he a total babe, but he’s charming, hilarious, and the kind of single dad that would make your ovaries explode—the total freaking package.

I know you’re probably wondering, What in the heck are you waiting for, girl? Go get yourself a fireman!

But, see, there’s one teeny-tiny (read: huge) problem—if we got together, we’d have to keep our relationship a secret.

I know. Who even am I? Some heroine in a freaking forbidden romance novel?

Let me guess, now you’re probably thinking…Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Don’t do it, girl. Don’t fall for the sexy, off-limits man. It’s not worth it.

Well, too late. I already went and did it.

And I have a feeling this fire of ours is going to go up in a big, mushroom-cloud-worthy, ball of figurative smoke.

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About Max Monroe
A duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads.

Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe
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Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2

“‘I would. I’ll always follow you. You’re my north star.’”

Oh, boy. She’s done it again. J.T. Geissinger has written her pants off for her next dark romance, antihero love story in Ruthless Creatures. Like her Beautifully Cruel series, you find yourself falling deeply for her hero, her dangerous, super alpha, criminal hero. There is so much to ADORE about Ruthless Creatures:

1. For one, Kage. Like really, Kage is the highlight of this book. I don’t want to take away from Natalie “Nat” her heroine. But Kage is my favorite type of dark romance hero. He’s the guy who is criminal to a fault but falls quickly and deeply for the heroine of this story. She creates these complicated antiheroes: one moment aggressive and alpha, the next moment jocular and sensitive. They run the spectrum of romance heroes encapsulate in one character. To call Ruthless Creatures a dark romance underserves it because there is a humor in Kage’s characterization. He’s quite simply…divine in the way that he is both dangerous and doting in equal measure.
2. Not to be outdone (although it kind of happens), Natalie is the perfect foil character for Kage. She is the reason that he isn’t overly dark. She provides a balance to his characterization because there is a quirkiness to her development. She is intelligent, empathic, and independent. She doesn’t need Kage, but together, they are romance couple gold. 
3. Even more, Sloane, Natalie’s best friend, is the girlfriend you need in your romances. She is so over the top, and her depiction balances out Natalie’s almost neuroticism. I love best friendships in the way that Geissinger has crafted Natalie and Sloane. They say what needs to be said, but in a way that feels like truth with padding. If the epilogue is any indication, Sloane’s book is coming and it’s going to be a good one. 
4. The story is equal parts steam (this is probably a 4 – 4.5 chili pepper steam level) and soulful. Geissinger takes care to develop her story in a way that is meaningful and well-paced. There is no moment in Ruthless Creatures where it feels rushed or slow. It flows well and keeps you engrossed to the end. 

If I had to question anything, it would be Natalie’s story. For one, her occupation and parents seem like serious afterthoughts. Without understanding why that’s the case, I ended the story with a curiosity about those two aspects of her life. But honestly, these two things are fairly inconsequential in the scope of Kage and Natalie’s journey. 

I love how J.T. Geissinger makes me love her stories. She absolutely has this way of making you adore dark, dangerous men because they can’t help but fall desperately for her heroines. In a world where the media makes it seem as though there are so many choices for men, to read a hero who will die for his heroine makes you think that romance isn’t really dead. That possibility is out there. Ruthless Creatures is, simply put, a fantastic read. 

“There’s a weight to this thing I feel for him. A darkness. A violent edge, like what I see in the dangerous mens’ eyes.”

In love and romance,

Professor A

Ruthless Creatures, an all-new must-read standalone dark romance from J.T. Geissinger is available now!

An explosive new novel of love, lies, and obsession from bestselling author J.T. Geissinger

Five years ago, my fiancé disappeared. Left me with a wedding dress I’d never wear. Left me
with the kind of scars that can’t be healed. The man I built my future on vanished like a ghost.
All that remained were my broken heart and unanswered questions.

Until a mysterious stranger arrives in town.

Tall, dark, and dangerous, Kage is as full of secrets as he is sex appeal. Though I know he’s
hiding something, I’m drawn to him like a moth to flame.

The intensity of our connection is addictive, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. Heat crackles
between us with every look, desire flares into passion, and I fall hard, helpless to resist.

But when I discover how he’s tied to the darkness in my past, I learn what happens when you fly
recklessly into fire:

You get burned.

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About J.T. Geissinger
J.T. Geissinger is a bestselling author of emotionally charged romance and women’s fiction. Ranging from funny, feisty rom coms to intense, edgy suspense, her books have sold more than one million copies and been translated into several languages.

She is the recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book, the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, and is a two-time finalist for the RITA® Award from the Romance Writers of America®. She has also been a finalist in the Booksellers’ Best, National Readers’ Choice, and Daphne du Maurier Awards.

Her first novel was published in 2012. Since then she’s written eighteen more novels. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, drinking wine, surfing the internet, and daydreaming about all the things she’s going to be when she grows up. She lives near the beach in Los Angeles with her husband and deaf/demented rescue kitty, Ginger.

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They will have to learn to trust in each other if they hope to survive.

Submission Impossible, the first in the all-new, must read Masters and Mercenaries: Reloaded series from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake is out now!

Read my review HERE.

He loves the sweet life

Greg Hutchins is reluctantly adulting these days. He’s settled in his job, recently bought his first house, and has a network of friends he can call family. But there’s something missing in his life, and he can’t quite put his finger on it. When he’s assigned to a case that involves investigating a biochemical company, he meets a woman who’s sweeter than any candy. Maybe she’s just the thing to make him feel complete.

She’s ready for the future

Noelle LaVigne has faced plenty of tragedy in her life, but she’s on the right path now. Between her new job and settling into a new city, she’s got no time for dating or relationships. She’s worked hard to get where she is, and no man is going to push her off track. Except the minute Hutch crosses her path she can’t seem to think about anything but the handsome security expert. He’s there to find a corporate spy, but late-night work sessions make her think they’ve both found something much more meaningful.

A twist they never saw coming

When the case becomes dangerous, both of their futures are on the line. And when the bullets start flying, they will have to learn to trust in each other if they hope to survive.

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Excerpt

“I’ve spent a lot of my evening researching your boss, and she’s dangerous. I think her corporate structure is sketchy, too. I think there’s a good chance she’s under some kind of investigation, and you’re going to get dragged into it. Is there any way you could take a couple of weeks off?”
It was the conclusion he’d come to. He would feel safer if she didn’t go back into that building again.
She shook her head. “I can’t. If I leave, I leave my research behind, and I’m close. If I prove my processes can work I’ll be able to hire on anywhere, and that would be remarkable at my age.”
Well, it was the answer he’d expected. “I want you to keep your eyes open and call me the minute you feel like anything’s weird. Trust your instincts.” He let out a breath and admitted the answer he’d come to. “I’m going to let Kyle go in with you tomorrow.”
“Good, because I have it on the highest authority he was going to take that job anyway.”
It was good to know he was in charge. He closed the screen of his laptop. He should go to bed and let her have some peace. She had to be at work early in the morning. He would lay on her couch and stare at the ceiling.
He was about to stand when Noelle beat him to it. “Hey, you didn’t get your prize.”
“Prize?”
“That’s kind of what you wanted, right? I’m supposed to give you something for opening up to me.”
“I wasn’t thinking about it as a prize, though I can see where you would.” He wanted to explore this thing between them, and having her talk to him or tell him something important about herself would do that. But he wasn’t going to push her. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
He was going to go slow. He was going to get to know her and ease into a friendship that could become something more. He had to be patient.
“I want to.” She crossed the space between them. “I want to give you this.”
She had another Red Vine in her hand. He’d wanted something personal from her. Something that would let him know this woman better. He got his own candy back. Story of his life. Still, he gave her what he hoped was a game smile and reached out. “Thanks.”
She pulled her hand back before he could take the candy. It wasn’t even a full one. It was the last little piece of what he’d given her.
“I want you to take it from me.” She licked her lips and put it in her mouth.
He was fully awake now, and about three thousand reasons this was a bad, bad idea went through his head.
It was too soon. She was sheltered and inexperienced. He was not. He had needs that would shock her. She’d literally said she didn’t do weird sex stuff. He did. A lot of weird sex stuff.
He should wait because she wasn’t doing this because she was in love with him. She was doing it because they had wild chemistry and she couldn’t help herself. He should be the senior partner and end this experiment of hers.
She settled on his lap. Suddenly every muscle in his body was tense and waiting to see if she was doing what he thought she was doing.
“Noelle?”
She lifted her face to his, offering that last bit of sugar, and he gave up the idea of waiting.

About Lexi Blake

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Connect with Lexi
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Website: http://www.lexiblake.net/

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Kandi Steiner’s Close Quarters is more than its blurb. It’s a story about manifesting your life. Her heroine, Aspen, is at a crossroads, having just graduated college and ready to find her place in the world. Seemingly content with her boyfriend and the possibility of a future, she knows that she’s missing something. Theo Whitman is a young billionaire who has gifted Aspen the opportunity to spend the summer on his superyacht with her boyfriend, who is employed by Theo. As the summer progresses, Theo teaches Aspen to love herself first before sacrificing parts of herself for others. Slowly, Aspen and Theo fall further for each other, but Aspen’s boyfriend complicates the situation. Are Aspen and Theo meant to be?

When you read the blurb for this book, you might think Indecent Proposal. But it is hardly that. Steiner has written a beautiful tale about loving yourself first so that you can live a more abundant life on your own terms. Through the specter of photography (Aspen is a photographer), Steiner points to this message as Aspen acts as more spectator than active participant. Through Theo, Aspen manifests more possibilities for herself. It’s a reminder to dream big and trust in yourself. 

First and foremost, what I love about Close Quarters is Steiner’s meticulous building of Theo and Aspen’s chemistry. Given that Aspen has a boyfriend at the story’s beginning and middle, Steiner is so careful in crafting the attraction between Theo and Aspen. Steiner makes it feel dangerous within boundaries, and you can’t help but love the thrill of this couple finding their way to each other. Honestly, this book feels like a slow-burn, as any next turn of the page could lead to combustion between Theo and Aspen. 

Additionally, there is a cinematic quality to this story. The images that Steiner crafts into her Aspen and Theo’s story make them visceral. You can “see” various moments within her book because she’s careful in drawing them for her reader. 

Even more, I distinctly realized in Close Quarters Steiner’s capacity as a wordsmith to generate dialogue. There are times when you read a book and the dialogue doesn’t go far enough, or it’s too staid. With this book, the conversations of her characters, namely Theo and Aspen, feel natural and help progress the story. 

Add to all of this a hero and heroine whom you can’t help but adore. I mean, Theo is the definition of alpha, swoony hero. Aspen counters his dominance with a gentleness that makes her instantly likable and necessary for this story. As she falls further into her attraction to Theo, her strength of character draws you even closer to her character. 

Close Quarters has so many wonderful elements to it: a compelling story, a compelling couple, and a compelling style. Kandi Steiner has once again reminded readers why her books are definite one-click wonders. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A

Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Our upbringings play such a key role in the future adults we become. The actions of our parents oftentimes determine the actions we take later in life. In Rebecca Jenshak’s newest book, Slapshot, a Moo U book in the Sarina Bowen universe, this message becomes clear through the story of Lex and Kaitlyn. In Jenshak’s story, Kaitlyn has lived in the shadow of her father, and his busy life choices have influenced Kaitlyn’s purview of romantic relationships. She is always ready to leave people before they leave her, and she sabotages those relationships to bring them to an end. Additionally, as her father is a famous hockey player, Kaitlyn turned her back on the sport in her youth as a way to find a space away from him. In doing so, she cut herself off from a sport she loves. As Jenshak’s story continues, Kaitlyn finds herself needing money so she finds a job as the equipment manager for the hockey team, much to her chagrin. It is there where she meets Lex, the hero of Slapshot. Lex is a freshman on the Burlington U hockey team, and he feels like he has much to prove. One of the hardest working players on the team, Lex wants to get playing time, but he finds himself struggling to achieve. As Kaitlyn gains confidence in her abilities to be the equipment manager for the team, Lex is drawn to her for her beauty, her intelligence, and her unspoken emotional pain. Together, Kaitlyn helps Lex achieve, while Lex tries to help Kaitlyn come to terms with her relationship with her father. Ultimately, these two find their happy ending, but it isn’t an easy one. 

Of the first three Moo U stories, Rebecca Jenshak’s Slapshot stands out as the most “hockey” of them all. I’ve been reading her sports romances over the past year and a half, and this is one of Jenshak’s strengths. She legitimizes sports romances. You believe the “sport” part of her stories while falling in love with its romances. This is a distinct strength of her book in the comparison to Blindsided and Holdout. 

Additionally, Jenshak has the capacity to craft heroes whom you can’t help but adore. Lex is definitely in Jenshak’s wheelhouse. I think it’s easy to think that a generous and empathic hero can be dull, but that isn’t the case in Slapshot. While Lex is fairly easygoing with Kaitlyn, he gives as good as he gets from her. Lex is amenable and swoony in his interest in Kaitlyn, but he also doesn’t act as a “doormat” to her aggression. It’s refreshing to read the “angst” of the story in this context because it doesn’t weigh the reader down. Instead, it makes you feel their pain with the promise that Lex’s character qualities will deliver them to a happy ending. 

As far as her heroine, Kaitlyn, Jenshak makes her somewhat unlikable in the beginning. I was worried at first that I wouldn’t invest myself in her. However, with her careful construction, Jenshak humanizes Kaitlyn, allowing us to understand her pain. Jenshak makes her likable and uses her to challenge Lex just as Lex challenges her. 

Honestly, of the first three stories of the Moo U series, Slapshot is my favorite thus far. It is the MOST “hockiest” book of the three. Even more, Jenshak treats us to a delicious hero in Lex, and a heroine who makes the reader work at loving her. If you are a sports romance, specifically a hockey romance, fan, then you will LOVE this book. I did. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A