Category: Uncategorized

Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️

“I couldn’t think of anything I wanted more in the world than to be with someone who made me more me, or thought I made him more him.”

At its core, what is Louise Bay’s Private Player?

Romance catnip. Seriously! If you’ve read any of my reviews EVER, then you know I’m a hound for a broody, alpha-level, too sure of himself hero. And Bay’s hero in her newest book, Nathan, is all of those things. 

His meet-cute happens with his heroine, Madison, at their mutual friends’ wedding (International Player’s Truly and Noah). From the moment Madison and Nathan meet, it’s a mix of palatable attraction, tequila, and a wardrobe malfunction courtesy of a chair where the heroine flashes her pink panties at, at the very least, her tablemates. 

Madison and Nathan hit it off so well that they spend a steamy one night together, knowing they will never see each other again. Except…

This is romance, and that never happens for a hero and heroine. You see, Madison is a burgeoning reporter for The Post, and well, our hero, Nathan, has an image problem. He’s been spotted with his best friend’s wife, and the preeminent gossip columnist who wrote about him has skewered him. With that in mind, his PR team finds a journalist to spend time with Nathan to get a sense of the man in order to write a piece about him, saving his reputation and his job. And guess who is assigned to him? You guessed it: Madison. 

As you can imagine, Bay’s Private Player evolves into a romantic journey between two people trying to deny their growing attraction for purposes of their credibility but also Nathan’s reticence towards relationships. Is it possible for Madison and Nathan to find their happy ending? Well, this is a romance, but how they get there is always unpredictable. 

There are some amazing parts of Private Player:

*Nathan’s family (who get their stories in future books)

*The interplay between Madison and Nathan especially as they fight their attraction. Talk about steam floating off the page. 

*Madison’s introspection about Nathan when he’s unable to see his situation from outside of his own ambition and connection

*The way that Madison and Nathan fall incrementally in love even when they fight it

*Louise Bay’s insistence on writing heroes such as Nathan who captivate her readers and make you want more of them

*The general message to live your life on your own terms

My only criticisms of this story are its predictability (which, for me, because I adore Louise Bay, isn’t a huge issue) and the very little we get of Madison’s relationship with her mother. Bay gives us a nibble of it, but I would have liked more of it to see its impact on Madison. She tells us about it, but I would have liked a bit more of that characterization. 

All of that aside, Louise Bay’s Private Player is a preeminent Bay story. It has steam, attraction, sweet moments, a worthy message, and a glorious happy ending. What else could you ask for in a romance book?

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️

I sometimes think that Helena Hunting is several different people (NO! I’m not accusing her of ghostwriters). She has this incredible way of finding different places to write from for different works. There is a general thread of humor that runs through her books, but given the different personalities of her stories, she mutes or heightens that thread. And what you find is a deep abiding adoration for her storytelling. Whether she’s writing the stories of horny hockey players or enemies to lovers in competing businesses or a hate-to-love story between neighbors, Helena Hunting shows her ability to take you along for her romance ride no matter the story. 

So let’s talk about Love Next Door, her newest story. Let’s name all the tropes you’ll find in this story: hate-to-love/enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance, on some level, and forced proximity (that one’s a stretch). Without my tropes cheatsheet in front of me, these are the ones that find immediate purchase in this book. With those key tropes as a guide, it’s interesting to note that this story is a sweet one. Even when her heroine and hero, Dillion/Darlin/Dee and Donovan/Van, are fighting, their burgeoning/evolving romance has an underpinning of sweetness to it. There is clear chemistry from the start; Hunting isn’t doing anything different with this story. In fact, I think Love Next Door exists as an ode to Hunting’s own lakeside cabin experiences and a story for her fans. Coming through the Montlake Publishing line, you’ll find this one to be the least steamy of anything she’s written as of late. There is no kink here, no overwhelming number of bedroom scenes. 

What you find with Love Next Door is a treatment on a few distinct messages: don’t live life to spite your past, work a job that you love and loves you back, and family is incredibly important. Tangential to that is Hunting’s focus on mental health as well. There is some suspense in this story which is a bit predictable, but it adds some spice to the story because, from the start, it’s clear that Dillion and Van are fated. From the beginning to the end, Hunting writes all the signs in her story, even with an ending that compels you to put a smile on your face as you realize their relationship was set in the stars. 

The revelation of the villain of this story aside, I adore Dillion and Van’s story in Helena Hunting’s Love Next Door. It’s the type of book that you read on the beach or in a lounge on the back patio or in bed during a lazy afternoon and evening. Will it make you laugh out loud like some of the stories of her Pucked or All In series? Not really. There is a simplicity and sweetness to this story that makes you fall in love with it. If you’re looking for the perfect read for the coming weekend, then this is your book. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

Overall Grade: 4.5 ⭐️

Dylan Allen has done it again with her newest Rivers Wilde offering, The Daredevil. This tasty treat of a story is everything you ADORE about her: compelling characterizations, sensuality that sets the page on fire, and a happy ending that is perfect for her hero and heroine. 

This is Tyson’s story, that younger brother who has this capacity for helping his siblings find their own happy endings. We find him, at the beginning of the story, on his knees pleasuring Dina, Allen’s heroine and an ancillary character from her The Sound of Temptation story. This is Allen’s way. She grabs you with the pure chemistry of her character and pulls you dramatically into her story. When their moment is interrupted and Tyson, out to prove himself to his imperious mother, the matriarch of the Wilde family, Dina and Tyson go their separate ways, prepared to battle for their individual successes. 

The story fast forwards and Tyson and Dina are thrown together for an important project. Dylan’s capacity to write their attraction is off the charts in this story (as it is in her other stories). She never holds back on interrogating anything in the bedroom, and this story is a 5-star steamfest. I know my fellow romance readers LOVE this (I’m with them), but my favorite part of this book is actually the development of Tyson and Dina’s partnership. A third of this book is a journey into denial: denying their attraction and their ability to move forward as a couple. When Tyson and Dina work together to overcome a threat to their business, I was DONE because Allen takes their individual vulnerabilities and creates a reckoning force through their combined strengths. Dylan Allen’s development of their partnership is divine. 

And in the end, I love her insistence on the best happy ending for Tyson and Dina, a couple completely happy with developing careers and their relationship without the traditions of the average romantic couple. 

The Daredevil is a perfect tribute to Dylan Allen’s Rivers Wilde series. Besides her The Sun and Her Star, this series is my FAVORITE of hers. Having fallen in love with Hayes, Temperance, Remi, Kai, Regan, Stone, and even, the matriarch of the Wilde family, I loved this story for Tyson. It’s perfection in its capacity to show the importance of having a passion for your work, not just an expectation. Both Tyson and Dina struggle to live up to the expectation, so, instead, Dylan Allen writes all the passion for them. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

“Another can’t-miss winner from the addictive world of Rivers Wilde.”–Kennedy Ryan, Wall Street Journal bestselling author

The Daredevil, an all new steamy second chance romance novella in the Rivers Wilde Series from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Dylan Allen and 1,001 Dark Nights is available now!

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Dylan Allen comes a new story in her Rivers Wilde series…

“I dare you to let me watch…”

It was the wickedest of propositions, made by the most devilish of men.

It doesn’t matter that Tyson Wilde has got a killer smile, wears a suit like it’s his job,
and oozes spine-tingling sex appeal. I should say no.
Because beneath the surface of that cool, disinterested exterior,
lies passion hot enough to burn. I danced too close to it once and have the scars to prove it.

So, on any other night, in any other city, and if he’d been even a fraction less mouthwatering,
I would have been able to resist.

But it’s my birthday, we’re in Paris, and it’s him.
I can’t say no.
I don’t want to say no.

And this time, no matter how right we feel together, I won’t let myself forget that when this weekend is over, we will be, too.
We’re only pretending to be lovers to land a deal.
Success will mean a promotion—one I want more than anything.
At least, that’s what I thought.

Falling in love was a danger neither Tyson or I saw coming.
And it will cost one of us everything.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

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About Dylan Allen
Dylan Allen is a Texas girl with a serious case of wanderlust.
A self-proclaimed happily ever junkie, she loves creating stories where her characters chase their own happy endings.
When she isn’t writing or reading, eating or cooking, she and her family are planning their next adventure.

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PRIVATE PLAYER by Louise Bay

Release Date: July 27th

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57578199

✔️ Friends to scorching-hot lovers

✔️ Workplace romance

✔️ Brooding British billionaire

✔️ One night stand that comes back to bite the next morning

AVAILABLE NOW!!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/370nzSf

Universal Link: https://geni.us/PrivatePlayer

Audio: https://geni.us/bZt3M

Blurb:

The first time I meet Madison Shore, I’m greeted by her knickers. She’s upside down and trying to untangle herself from my chair at a wedding.

I get to see a whole lot more of her later that night.

The second time I meet Madison Shore is in my London office. Turns out she’s a journalist writing an article about me.

To keep control of my company, I need to convince people I’m more serious about business than my playboy reputation suggests. Madison holds my future in her hands.

Now I just need to convince the woman I took to bed on Saturday night that I’m not the player everyone thinks I am.

Note: to claim your exclusive content, email confirmation or a screenshot of your pre-order to exclusivelouisebay@gmail.com and you will be contacted shortly after release with a link to the content.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read.

Ruined by bonk-busters and sexy mini-series of the eighties Louise loves all things sexy and romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.

Louise loves the rain, the West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.

She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

Connect w/Louise:

Website: https://louisebay.com/

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Love Next Door, an all new addictive small-town romance from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is now live!

When Dillion Stitch left her hometown, she had no intention of going back. But when her brother gets into trouble, Dillion reluctantly agrees to return home to take her place at the family business.

Being back in Pearl Lake after all these years feels familiar, but also brings a few surprises. She’s quick to notice that someone new has shown up at the cottage next door. Dillion gets more than an eyeful when she goes to check out the newcomer and meets Donovan “Van” Firestone—her beloved neighbor’s grandson—in all his unclothed glory.

Having gotten off to a rocky start, it’s not long before they begin bickering with each other all over town. All that back and forth inevitably sparks an undeniable attraction. But Dillion’s family has issues, Van’s family resents him, and neither Dillion nor Van feels truly at ease in the small town. For these Pearl Lake exiles, home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where things get complicated.

Grab your copy today!
FREE in Kindle Unlimited
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About Helena Hunting

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Connect with Helena
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If I get lost in his embrace, I don’t want to be found.

Hold Me by W. Winters & Amelia Wilde is now live!

I was born into luxury and used to getting what I wanted.

What I desired most, with my life in disarray, was the man who sat across from me.

He was tall, dark and handsome, but, most notably, forbidden.

It made every accidental touch more sinful and every session more addictive.

There was so much tragedy and he was supposed to fix me.

I shouldn’t have wondered how it would feel to be trapped under his broad shoulders.

I shouldn’t have focused on the way he licked his bottom lip every time his gaze dropped from mine and roamed my curves.

I shouldn’t have dreamed about him breaking the rules to comfort me the way I desperately needed.

I did though, and I was the first one to break.

He was my protector and my confidant and then he became my lover.

I teased him, tempted the two of us and now there’s no way to take it back.

With everything I’ve been through, I didn’t expect to fall for him.

There’s only so much heartache I can take.

This is book 2 in the Love The Way You series. Book 1, Kiss Me, must be read first.

  Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!

Hold Me

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Start reading Kiss Me today!

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Pre-order Love Me, Book #3!

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Meet Willow

I started writing after having my little girl, Evie, December of 2015. All during my pregnancy with her I read. I only wanted to read romance novels and I read everything I could get my hands on. I would read a book a day — sometimes two. In January I was staying up late with her and just thinking of all these stories. They came to me constantly. I finally sat down and just started writing. I always wanted to do it so I figured, why not?

I never thought I would reach this point of success to be honest. It’s insane to me that I have connected with so many readers.

And I love each and every one of them for all of their support. I’ll be honest, some days are HARD. I have my littles during the day and I write at night. Some days are just simply exhausting and then I hear from a reader and it motivates me to push through and keep writing. I couldn’t be more grateful for this wonderful career.

Connect with Willow

Website: www.WillowWintersWrites.com

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Text WILLOW to 797979

Meet Amelia

Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY bestselling author of dangerous contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.

Connect with Amelia

Website: https://awilderomance.com

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Overall Grade: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

The other day I wrote a review about a story that featured a hero with some mental health challenges related to the death of a parent. In my review of that book, I talked about the incomplete way that the author of that story handled that challenge. I noted that other authors in the genre were making strides at magnifying these challenges and handling them with a care that feels necessary in our times. In writing that, I didn’t know that I would be confronted with just such a situation in Sarina Bowen’s Waylaid, the next story of her True North series, a series that has stolen my heart and made me rabid for future books. 

Waylaid follows Daphne Shipley. If you’ve read any of the other books, then you know that Daphne’s experiences in those other books have been fairly fraught. She’s ambitious and lacks the warmth of her twin, Dylan. She outs her sister in a way that makes for one of the series’ most uncomfortable moments. Basically, Daphne isn’t the easiest character to love. However, as we find in romance, much of that colder or abrupt exterior hides vulnerabilities and insecurities. It usually takes the hero, in this case, to unravel the heroine’s guardedness. 

In Waylaid, that hero is Rickie, a character we’ve met in Dylan’s story, Heartland. Now, Rickie is interesting because, with him, what you see is what you get, or at least that’s what it seems. Rickie is Dylan’s roommate/landlord/friend, and he’s decided to spend his summer working at the Shipley homestead. What is most interesting about Rickie is he cannot remember six months of his time during his tenure at the US Tactical Academy. During this time, we find that he met Daphne and made plans for a date, but he never showed up. Therefore, Daphne doesn’t fully trust him, and Rickie doesn’t know why she avoids him even though he can tell that she’s as attracted to him as he is to her. As the story progresses, Bowen crafts a winding tale that reveals the secrets of Rickie’s past while drawing Daphne and Rickie together. 

What Sarina Bowen has done with Waylaid is nothing less than fantastic. For one, Rickie’s characterization is handled with the care that I had missed in the book I mentioned at the beginning of this review. Rickie is incredibly self-reflective and insightful, yet he’s wrapped in this flirty, playboyish package. At first, it makes sense that “good girl” Daphne would find him physically attractive but emotionally offputting because he’s so bold in his flirtation with her. You can’t help but want to warn Daphne off from him. However, as Bowen develops his character’s journey, you realize that there is weight and sincerity in his interest in Daphne. Bowen develops these graded levels in his character, and it makes him one of the most exciting characters in the True North series, in my opinion. 

Now, while Daphne is seemingly a difficult character to love, she was kindred for me. I too am a person who has a hard exterior, so to speak. However, it hides a soft underbelly of vulnerabilities. I connected with Daphne’s journey as she learns to lower her walls around Rickie. They are truly suited to bring out the best in each other. At the beginning of the story, it makes for some fireworks of attraction; however, as Bowen deftly draws their story, she shows us how they complement and fulfill each other. Daphne, like her siblings, becomes this layered character who needs to rectify the wrongs of her past in order to find peace in her future. 

Waylaid has elements of suspense and small-town romance. The struggles of her characters include sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and the idea that the past doesn’t have to define the present or future. And Sarina Bowen handles these messages with the gravity and care that they deserve. Honestly, I didn’t think that Waylaid could be one of the top reads of this series, but I think Daphne and Rickie have taken the second spot of my favorites of the series. The connection, the story, and their journeys steal a little piece of your heart through to the very end of the story. 

In love and romance, 

Professor A