Tag: forced proximity

new release

✍🏻 Obsessed. That is the word to describe my feelings for Kristen Ashley’s Perfect In Every Way, out TODAY! ✍🏻

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The Downs is peaceful…but steeped in mystery.
The Duke is arrogant, gorgeous and loyal..and maybe Perfect In Every Way.

Perfect In Every Way, an all-new compelling forced proximity, mystery romance in the Manors and Mysteries series from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley is now live!

Historical fiction writer, Vivienne Dupree, is hoping to unravel the mystery of her WWII soldier, great-grandfather’s doomed love affair with the lovely Lady Harmony. A woman he met convalescing at the sweeping English country estate, The Downs.

Vivienne jumps at the invitation to spend time at this magnificent property, doing so with unfettered access to family papers.

What she doesn’t expect is to come face-to-face—and immediately go head-to-head—with Battle Talyn, the ludicrously handsome, imposing, ridiculously arrogant Duke of Burleigh.

From the start, Vivi and Battle match wits, but it doesn’t take long for Vivi to realize something is amiss at The Downs. She dives into her research to figure it out, at the same time Battle launches a campaign that Vivi doesn’t quite understand.

The game is on, and a mystery is afoot.

What kept the doomed lovers apart all those years ago? What’s happening in the ballroom? Is there a curse on The Downs?

And what does all of this have to do with Battle and Vivi?

Grab your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hsRhTg
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/PerfectInEveryWay
B&N: https://bit.ly/3Nk87IZ
Apple Books: https://apple.co/4aKuzVv
Kobo: https://bit.ly/45nMIoL
Google Play: https://bit.ly/4sxBho4
Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/4qghdFo

Listen on audio narrated by Stella Bloom!
Amazon Audio: https://amzn.to/3MaO2ET
Audible: https://adbl.co/4qKa40p

Get signed copies from The Poisoned Pen→ https://bit.ly/49MK1ja

Add Perfect In Every Way to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/49KiKO1

Start the series of standalones with Too Good to Be True→ https://bit.ly/464IJxq

For more information on Kristen Ashley, visit:
https://www.kristenashley.net/

Connect with Kristen Ashley
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/44hqxyI
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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3UbHWE3
BookBub: https://bit.ly/3vUbQoz

new release

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Jessica Peterson’s Duke ✍🏻

professorromance
Book cover of 'Duke' by Jessica Peterson featuring a cowboy lifting a woman inside a rustic cabin, highlighting a romantic connection.

Overall Grade: A

Tropes: surprise pregnancy; forced proximity; friends to lovers; insta-attraction; cowboy romance; small town romance; golden retriever MMC/black cat FMC

I think of myself as “not an easy woman.” As a Gen Xer raised by Boomer parents, I live with a constant internal dialogue—who I am versus who others see versus who I wish I could be. This overthinking creates protective barriers that, while shielding a vulnerable heart, can leave you profoundly alone.

When authors like Jessica Peterson write these complex women who find men willing to love them fiercely, I feel seen. It’s bittersweet but hopeful—knowing that somewhere in this vast world exist people who look past our carefully constructed walls to the tender hearts beneath.

This is why I adored Duke, Peterson’s latest Lucky River Ranch novel. Duke and Wheeler inspire genuine emotion. Duke’s gift for seeing and loving Wheeler’s truth makes this story exceptional. Wheeler has spent a lifetime hearing lies about herself from her father and brother, their words born from their own insecurities. She’s countered those lies through hard work and success, but that independence comes at a cost—those old wounds make her guard against anything threatening to derail her carefully planned life.

Duke represents everything that could upend Wheeler’s world. The tension between their undeniable attraction and Wheeler’s determination to stay single adds rich complexity to their story. Duke is patient, tenacious, and intentional—qualities that make him irresistibly attractive. He becomes Wheeler’s friend first, lover second, creating a bond that’s both hard-won and deeply satisfying. Their relationship evolves from friendship to something eternal.

Peterson excels at crafting compelling narratives that propel readers forward. Her prose captures attention and holds it, while her ability to reveal a character’s core essence keeps readers invested. Her talent for writing independent, headstrong women who find partners who love them as they are—not as they need them to be—continues to resonate with her growing fanbase.

If you’re seeking a cowboy romance with genuine heart and emotional depth, Duke should be your next read.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release

✍🏻 J. Saman’s Bossing My Holiday is finally here. This smexy, hot-as-f*ck book will melt your panties. ✍🏻

professorromance
Cover image for the book 'Bossing My Holiday' by J. Saman featuring a festive scene with a Christmas tree, presents, and two men and a woman in an intimate pose near the Eiffel Tower.

🎄🔥🗼𝐁𝐎𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄!🗼🔥🎄

The holiday just got a lot hotter… 𝘽𝙤𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙮 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 by J. Saman is LIVE!

Cover of 'Bossing My Holiday' by J. Saman featuring a Christmas tree, two men and a woman in a romantic pose, with the Eiffel Tower in the background.

What you’ll love…

🤭MFM Romance-no crossing swords

👔Grumpy billionaire co-CEO

👗Sassy assistant in a tough situation

🥼Nerdy golden retriever co-CEO

🤫Fake relationship

🛏Forced proximity in PARIS! (one bed)

😋Age gap (10 years)

🔥Steam, spice, and everything naughty and nice

READ FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED: http://geni.us/BossingMyHoliday

Book cover for 'Bossing My Holiday' featuring a couple embracing in front of a decorated Christmas tree and the Eiffel Tower, with festive elements like snowflakes and directional signs indicating themes like fake relationship and age gap.

Things not on my Christmas wish list? Fake dating my billionaire Scrooge of a boss, Tristan Ouest.

But that’s exactly what I’m doing and why I’m on a plane heading to Paris with him and my other boss, co-CEO Braxton Hicks.

According to Braxton, this is the perfect arrangement. I act as the doting girlfriend to get Tristan’s matchmaking, old-money family off his back and he pays off the large debt I have from caring for my grandmother.

Except Braxton has other things in mind with this trip…like sharing me with Tristan.

And the things they want to do to me put them straight on the naughty list.

I should say no to all of this. After all, I need my job and sleeping with both of my bosses is a recipe for disaster. Especially when things start to get messy and complicated.

But they don’t just want me as a holiday treat. They want more.

Now they’re bossing my holiday. And before I know it, I’m in way over my head–falling for my grumpy fake boyfriend and his sinful best friend.

Bossing My Holiday is a standalone holiday, fake relationship, forced proximity in Paris, spicy workplace MFM romance with a swoony why-choose style HEA! It’s delicious holiday fun for anyone who likes being on Santa’s naughty list–and for anyone who dreams of two men worshiping them at once.

A colorful promotional image for the book 'Bossing My Holiday' by J. Saman, featuring a romantic scene with a couple in formal attire, surrounded by festive decorations, Christmas gifts, and a holiday-themed graphic design.
Cover Reveal

✍🏻 Dred + Connor = If You Claim Me ✍🏻

professorromance
Cover reveal for 'If You Claim Me' by Helena Hunting, featuring a couple in formal attire on a purple background, with the release date highlighted.

IF YOU CLAIM ME 

By Helena Hunting

Toronto Terror #5

Release Date: November 6th

Cover Designer: Hang Le

https://www.instagram.com/byhangle/

Illustrations by Rosie’s Fables

https://www.instagram.com/rosiesfables/

Book cover for 'If You Claim Me' by Helena Hunting, featuring a couple in formal attire with the title prominently displayed. The male character wears a maroon suit, while the female character is in a white wedding dress, holding a bouquet.

Hockey’s most hated player just asked me to marry him. 

Connor Grace is the league’s bad boy–and my best friend’s worst enemy. 

He’s the fallen prince of a famous hotel chain dynasty. 

Me? I’m the foster kid who grew up to be a librarian. 

I never thought I’d end up in a marriage of convenience to make someone’s grandma happy, but here we are. 

I have no plans to kiss my husband for any reason other than show. 

I have no plans to fall in love with the arrogant man dressed in a custom suit hiding intricate tattoos. 

But when we’re alone, he drops the mask he wears for the rest of the world. 

He holds me like he means it when he says I’m his. And I want to believe him.

Too bad I learned early on that fairytales aren’t real, and nothing good lasts forever.

Book cover for 'If You Claim Me' by Helena Hunting, featuring a couple in formal attire. The background is purple with wedding-themed illustrations. It highlights themes such as marriage of convenience and hockey romance, with a release date of November 6, 2025.

PRE-ORDER IF YOU CLAIM ME

Amazon → https://geni.us/IfYouClaimMe

Goodreads → https://geni.us/IfYouClaimMeGR

💕🏒 Paperback Preorders + Bookplate & NSFW Art! 🏒💕

Novel Grounds Preorder → https://geni.us/IYCMNovelGrounds

Flutter Preorder → https://geni.us/FlutterIYCMPreorder

Hopeless Romantics Preorder → https://geni.us/IYCMHopelessRomantic

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: J. Saman’s Undeniably Corrupt ✍🏻

professorromance
Cover of the book 'Undeniably Corrupt' by J. Saman, featuring a male model with tousled blonde hair and striking green eyes, showcasing his tattoos while looking directly at the camera.

Overall Grade: B-

Tropes: second chance; childhood friends to lovers; enemies to lovers; single mom; obsessed MMC; workplace romance; forced proximity; forbidden romance

J. Saman’s Undeniably Corrupt brilliantly adds depth to her Boston’s Irresistible Billionaires series with the enigmatic, shadow figure of Vander. As the morally gray character of the extended next-gen group, Vander has stepped in to save the day in each of the stories in this series. But who will step in and save him and his love interest, Liora? They both will. 

This is what I loved the most about Undeniably Corrupt. Liora and Vander save each other from the eventual threat of their story, each taking a part and offering a solution to their eventual problem. Saman has written Liora and Vander’s chemistry well, showcasing a steamfest that intensifies as the story (and their love) progresses. Continuing on her “band of brothers (and sisters)” trope in this book solidifies its place in the series, and it continues to grant us glimpses into the lives of the former couples in this series. Even more, Saman writes Liora and Vander to be likable, which means we root for their happy ending. 

Here are my issues with this book (and the series as a whole): while the parents of the next-gen adults make appearances, they are brief and go nowhere in these stories. If you’ve read Saman’s earlier series, you’ve grown to care for the characters of those series. However, we get very little interaction with them and their children in this series, especially Vander. For me, I thought that Vander’s father, Lenox, would have played a greater part in aiding his son through his and Liora’s trouble. But he was virtually silent, and that didn’t sit well with me. In fact, Vander does very little with his father, despite being a carbon copy of him. And therein lies one of the most significant issues with this story. 

Secondly, I struggled greatly with the pacing of Liora’s secret revelation. The believability that she would hold onto her secret for much of the book seemed problematic, especially as she’s aware of Vander’s skill. While she doesn’t know the depths of it, I was confused with her choice to withhold information from him. Sharing her secret earlier in the story would have allowed for more development of the consequences later. The resolution felt rushed. 

Would I read Undeniably Corrupt again? Absolutely! Liora and Vander are the “heavy” of this series, one that seems founded on the beloved enemies-to-lovers trope. J. Saman wrote this well in her romances for this series. I know she has two new series on the horizon, and I can only hope that we will fall in love with her future band of characters as we have with her Boston Irresistible Billionaires crew.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release

✍🏻 Saffron A. Kent’s next Thorne Family book is here with Shepard’s story. Who’s ready for Jupiter and Shepherd’s steamy romance in A Wreck, You Make Me, out NOW? ✍🏻

professorromance
Title: A Wreck, You Make Me
Author: Saffron A. Kent
Genre: Dark Forbidden Romance
Tropes: Bully Romance, Blackmail, Forced Proximity
Morally Grey Hero, Praise/Degradation Kink, Soccer
Release Date: August 8, 2025
BLURB
I have been in love with Shepard Thorne since I was twelve.

He’s my best friend’s hot older brother, and I am the weird redhead who low-key follows him everywhere. He’s soccer’s bad boy, and I am stuck in a dead end job, serving drinks at the local strip club.
Our paths aren’t meant to cross.
Until one day I catch him getting a lap dance at the club and jealousy makes me ruin his fun.
Now he’s made it his mission to make my life hell and no matter what I do, there is no escape.
Everywhere I turn, there he is, waiting for his payback.
He threatens to kiss me one second, and choke me the next.
He promises to bring me to my knees and make me beg.
What started as a little harmless prank turns into a twisted game of blackmail that’s toxic but oh-so-good.
But it has to end.
Because I have a secret…
That ties me to my tormentor in an irrevocable way, and if he ever finds out, it will wreck everything I now crave.
Even his revenge.
Note: This is a STANDALONE set in the world of Bardstown
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
AUTHOR BIO
Saffron A. Kent is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and New Adult romance.
She has an MFA in Creative Writing and she lives in New York City with her nerdy and supportive husband, along with a million and one books.
new release

✍🏻 What is not to love about a single dad movie star MMC with a HEAVY DOSE of rizz and a burgeoning “smut” writer/OB-GYN resident FMC who circle each other and FALL hard? There is nothing better. J. Saman’s Undeniably Unexpected is LIVE now, and it’s exactly the read you need! ✍🏻

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🎬🌅🔥UNDENIABLY UNEXPECTED IS LIVE + Gifty A Way🔥🌅🎬

What you get…

🎬British bad boy movie star hero

🩺Curvy doctor and secret romance author heroine

👨‍👦Single dad

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨Fake relationship

🫶Friends to lovers

🛏Forced proximity on an island off Key West

💘He falls first and harder

🔥STEAMY with a fun unexpected k!nk

😍All the LOL banter and intense feels

http://geni.us/UndeniablyUnexpected

Blurb:

Hollywood Bad Boy Loomis Powell Dating Heiress Keegan Fritz Amid Secret Baby Scandal.

That headline plus a broken wrist, my ex showing up, and it leaking that Loomis has a son no one knew about, and suddenly we’re in a fake relationship.

He needs help keeping his son and saving his career, and I need someone to stop me from going back to my ex after he broke my heart.

It seems like the perfect plan until we realize someone is following us a little too closely.

Now we’re stuck in a tiny cottage on an island off the Florida Keys.

It’s a recipe for disaster.

Between his charming smile, sexy British accent, and swoon-worthy moments with his son, he’s everything I need to stay away from. Loomis doesn’t do love or relationships, and I have a penchant for falling fast and hard for the wrong men.

But with every searing kiss and sheet-clutching encounter, I’m finding it harder and harder to remember that what we have is fake.

Especially when outside forces threaten to tear us apart.

Can we find a way to turn this undeniably unexpected situation into something real, or will our Hollywood romance end in disaster?

READ FREE WITH KINDLE UNLIMITED: http://geni.us/UndeniablyUnexpected

✨ For a chance at a signed paperback of Undeniably Unexpected, copy and click the link and enter on the pinned post: https://bit.ly/33HoJSi

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: L.B. Dunbar’s Catch the Kiss, book 2 of the Chicago Anchors series ✍🏻

professorromance
Cover art for 'Catch the Kiss' by L.B. Dunbar, featuring a professional baseball player kneeling with a rose, proposing to a woman in a red dress, set against an elegant background.

Overall Grade: B

Tropes: second chance romance; marriage of convenience; pro baseball MMC; single dad; forced proximity; insta-attraction

In the second installment of L.B. Dunbar’s Chicago Anchors series, Catch the Kiss delivers a compelling second-chance romance between Ruthie and professional baseball player Bolan. Set against the backdrop of Chicago’s vibrant sports scene, their story unfolds a decade after their initial meeting, offering readers a satisfying exploration of growth, redemption, and unexpected love.

The novel opens with an ingenious meet-cute that immediately captivates, despite its questionable premise as a legitimate psychological study. This creative introduction establishes the foundation for Dunbar’s narrative with remarkable efficiency, setting up the characters’ initial connection in a way that feels both unique and memorable. When their paths cross again years later, the groundwork for their second chance is already firmly established in readers’ minds.

Bolan’s character arc stands as one of the novel’s greatest strengths. His transformation from playboy athlete to devoted husband unfolds with a charm that makes him increasingly endearing as the story progresses. What proves particularly compelling is that Bolan falls first, dedicating himself completely to making their marriage of convenience succeed. His commitment to Ruthie and his daughter showcases a depth of character that transcends the typical sports romance hero.

Equally engaging is Ruthie’s journey, which mirrors the familiar struggles many women face after early marriage failures—the challenge of reclaiming one’s identity and purpose. Through Bolan’s genuine interest and eventual love, she discovers her own space as a mother to his daughter, finding both her voice against manipulative in-laws and her path to profound happiness. Her evolution feels authentic and emotionally resonant, offering readers a protagonist whose growth is as satisfying as the romance itself.

While Dunbar’s storytelling shines in character development and emotional depth, her reliance on an obvious baseball metaphor throughout the narrative occasionally feels heavy-handed and unnecessary. This running motif, while thematically relevant, sometimes detracts from the natural power of Ruthie and Bolan’s story. This tendency toward overly explicit metaphorical frameworks appears to be a recurring element in Dunbar’s writing style.

Despite this minor critique, Catch the Kiss succeeds in creating engaging, relatable characters whose second-chance journey proves both heartwarming and satisfying. Dunbar’s Chicago Anchors series continues to demonstrate her talent for crafting contemporary romances with emotional substance and authentic character growth. Readers will undoubtedly look forward to future installments featuring the compelling personalities introduced in this Chicago-based world.

In love and romance, 

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Meghan Quinn’s Bridesmaid by Chance ✍🏻

professorromance

Overall Grade: A-

Tropes: age gap; workplace romance; brother’s business partner; insta-attraction; forced proximity

In the final installment of Meghan Quinn’s Bridesmaid series, Bridesmaid by Chance, delivers a satisfying conclusion through the forbidden romance between Sloane and Hudson. Their chemistry—electric and complicated—drives a narrative that explores both personal growth and the delicate balance between family obligations and individual happiness.

The central relationship between Sloane and Hudson captivates from the first page. Their connection is forbidden on multiple levels—he’s her boss and her brother’s business partner—creating a tension that Quinn masterfully navigates. What makes this dynamic particularly compelling is the contrast between Sloane’s confident ownership of her sensuality and Hudson’s honorable resistance to his growing attraction to her. This push-and-pull creates moments that are both humorous and profoundly emotional.

Quinn weaves a narrative filled with complications that feel both authentic and engaging. When Hudson needs to appease a prospective partnership by volunteering Sloane as a stand-in bridesmaid, their professional relationship begins to blur. Their attraction eventually boils over, leading to a relationship that faces multiple obstacles: Hudson’s sense of obligation that temporarily drives him away from Sloane, her brother’s discovery of their relationship, and the eventual reconciliation that demonstrates significant character growth for all involved. Hudson’s realization of Sloane’s importance and her brother Jude’s acceptance of her autonomy create a satisfying emotional payoff.

The individual character arcs prove as compelling as the romance itself. Hudson, the perpetually responsible Hopper sibling who has sacrificed personal happiness for duty, finds himself transformed by Sloane’s influence as she teaches him to embrace life beyond his obligations. Meanwhile, Sloane battles perceptions about her age, underscored by the gap between her and Hudson, and fights for recognition of her emotional maturity. Her history—growing up in poverty and losing her parents—has forced an adulthood on her that others are slow to acknowledge. When she finally stands up to her brother and earns his respect, the moment resonates as a triumphant fulfillment of her character journey.

The appearance of characters from previous books adds both humor and emotional weight to the narrative, creating a sense of community that enriches the reading experience. The intimate scenes between Hudson and Sloane strike an effective balance—passionate without overshadowing the emotional core of their relationship. Quinn’s signature humor permeates the story, providing levity amid the more serious emotional developments.

Bridesmaid by Chance stands as the strongest entry in Quinn’s series, delivering the perfect blend of chemistry, character growth, and emotional resolution that romance readers crave. For those who have followed the series from the beginning, this conclusion offers a deeply satisfying payoff, while newcomers will find themselves immediately drawn into Quinn’s world of complex relationships and genuine emotion.

In love and romance,

Professor A

Cover Reveal

✍🏻 Saffron A. Kent’s Thorne Brothers are PURE alpha-males. A Wreck, You Make Me is coming June 9th, and you don’t want to miss Shepard Thorne’s version of it! ✍🏻

professorromance
Title: A Wreck, You Make Me
Author: Saffron A. Kent
Genre: Dark Forbidden Romance
Tropes: Bully Romance, Blackmail, Forced Proximity
Morally Grey Hero, Praise/Degradation Kink, Soccer
Cover Design: Najla Qamber
Model Cover Photographer: Daniel Jaems
Release Date: June 9, 2025
BLURB
I have been in love with Shepard Thorne since I was twelve.
He’s my best friend’s hot older brother, and I am the weird redhead who low-key follows him everywhere. He’s soccer’s bad boy, and I am stuck in a dead end job, serving drinks at the local strip club.
Our paths aren’t meant to cross.
Until one day I catch him getting a lap dance at the club and jealousy makes me ruin his fun.
Now he’s made it his mission to make my life hell and no matter what I do, there is no escape.
Everywhere I turn, there he is, waiting for his payback.
He threatens to kiss me one second, and choke me the next.
He promises to bring me to my knees and make me beg.
What started as a little harmless prank turns into a twisted game of blackmail that’s toxic but oh-so-good.
But it has to end.
Because I have a secret…
That ties me to my tormentor in an irrevocable way, and if he ever finds out, it will wreck everything I now crave.
Even his revenge.
Note: This is a STANDALONE set in the world of Bardstown
PRE-ORDER LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
AUTHOR BIO
Saffron A. Kent is a USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and New Adult romance.
She has an MFA in Creative Writing and she lives in New York City with her nerdy and supportive husband, along with a million and one books.