Tag: he falls first

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Kilby Blades’s Young Buck, a Green Valley Heroes romance ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: A-/B+

Tropes: close proximity/neighbors; age gap; small town; he falls first; grump/sunshine; golden retriever MMC; girl squad

Kilby Blades’s contributions are among the best things that have happened to Smartypants Romance. Don’t get me wrong; I have a lot of authors whom I love writing in this world, but Kilby Blades has a way of bringing more to her romances, and it brings added layers to this world. In Young Buck, Blades introduces us to neighbors, Buck Rogers (a nice throwback to one of my favorite 80s shows) and Loretta. These two have a wild meet-cute that makes you laugh and feel bad for Buck. As the story progresses, Blades gifts us with Loretta’s capacity as an independent, intelligent woman who transcends a traumatic background to succeed in her present day. She wraps Loretta’s story in the genuine adoration of Buck, who falls first. The PR machine behind this book considers Buck the sunshine of the tale and Loretta the grump, but I think the reality is a golden retriever/black cat trope. Loretta, as a PI of cheating spouses, has seen the worst of relationships while also living through it. It isn’t that she’s grumpy; she’s careful and decisive about relationships. With his privilege, Buck has been less thoughtful about it, but a situation in his life allows him an understanding of Loretta’s past. Buck must also navigate a new job in leadership at the Green Valley Fire Department, which brings tension. Blades challenges him throughout this story, and it adds gravity to his “golden retriever” vibe. 

Throughout all of this is an underlying story about Buck’s family that surprises him and the reader. This plotline drives the story forward and keeps the readers engaged. As Buck and Loretta grow closer, their romance becomes the sweet essence of the book. It’s also here where my one criticism of the story lies. Blades makes a choice about Buck that threatens his relationship with Loretta, and I understand its need to create tension in their relationship. However, given how Blades develops Buck’s character, it is “out of character” for him and seems inconsistent. 

With Young Buck, Kilby Blades shows us why we should read her more. She crafts entertaining characters and draws us into her romantic stories. The ending of Young Buck is precisely what is needed to put a smile on your face for the day, the weekend, or your week. Smartypants Romance is better for having her on their author list.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Tia Louise’s A Little Naughty, the final book of the Be Still series ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: A-/B+

Tropes: small town romance; marriage of convenience; bad guy/good girl; found family; he falls first; touch her and die

Tia Louise’s Hamiltown Heat series had all the angsty feels mingled with a huge helping of spice. Coming out of that series, I needed some levity, and she didn’t disappoint with her Be Still series. From the first book of the series, A Little Taste, I found myself engaged with Tia Louise’s rendering of small-town couples finding love against the odds. It is a lighter series than her Hamiltown Heat series, but its power lies in the sometimes light-angsty nature of the couplings. 

Her final book of the series, A Little Naughty, is the perfect exclamation point to the series. It happens to be my favorite. Jemima and Raif are magical in that they know they want each other from the start, and they don’t allow outside forces to keep them apart. Even more, Tia Louise has drawn Raif as a good man from a “bad” family, and the protectiveness that Jemima shows him draws you into their relationship. The complications of Raif proving to people he isn’t his family makes you fall hard for him, but it’s also how he falls hard for Jemima, protecting her at all costs that really cements it. To me, this is the lightest feeling book of the series, and I believe it’s because Tia Louise brings Raif and Jemima together and keeps them there. A Little Naughty sets out to offer you a marriage of convenience, and she has underscored the found family/community of the special small town of Eureka. That’s really the gem of this story. As the happy ending unfolds, you cannot help but be filled with all the good feelings. Tia Louise’s Be Still series is a feel-good series of special romances that will absolutely steal your heart.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Max Monroe’s Cluelessly Yours ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: B

Tropes: single mom FMC; love triangle-ish; he falls first; friends to lovers; doctor MMC; interconnected series of standalones

There are two things about Max Monroe’s Cluelessly Yours that I didn’t realize I needed: a swoon and a nice guy MMC. I think I’ve been sitting with grumpy next-door neighbor MMCs or anti-heroes recently, so a character such as Noah reads like a breath of fresh air in a swamp of cranky male characters. He broke up the doldrums of my reading week, and I love Max Monroe’s thoughtfulness with that. Now, let me get down to my stream-of-consciousness review of this book:

  1. I’ve decided that I approve of a dual POV when the points of view are separated into parts. While I recognize the almost “melody” created with the back and forth of chapters for dual POV, there is also a formula to it that has become a bit staid in my romance reading. I appreciate Max Monroe’s choice to break the POVs into parts. It 1) builds anticipation, 2) makes the narrative journey more tension-filled, ramping up the story, and 3) allows them to hold off on the full reveal of Sammy’s true MMC until almost halfway through it. Again, this builds a narrative tension that drives the reader forward. Smart choice!
  2. Cluelessly Yours is my favorite story thus far in Max Monroe’s It’s A Funny Story series. It may have something to do with my age and life experience that I connect in some ways to Sammy, but I appreciate her journey more than her sister’s and son’s teacher. That being said, this series has such a different flavor from Max Monroe’s earlier stories, the billionaires that steal our hearts. One of the reviews commented on their popular culture references and how she/he/they don’t like it. Honestly, I paid attention to see if Max Monroe’s millennial poked through. And it’s only a little. Instead, Cluelessly Yours reminds us to ask for and receive the best for ourselves. We shouldn’t settle, and we shouldn’t allow others to bully us into relationships. Noah and Sammy together are pure rom-com poetry.
  3. There is a story point near the end that adds a twist to the book. This is my biggest criticism of the book: it made no sense. It was put there to “fix” a story point, but it was underdeveloped in the story, so it felt like Max Monroe “jumped the shark” by enacting it. This is the sole reason for the 4-star/B rating of this book. I’m hoping there is another book for one of the characters in the story who needs a happy ending right now, but I’ll wait and see how Max Monroe’s muse(s) speak to them. 
  4. Precious children in a romance? I love them. If you don’t, well…ignore them. They add flavor to Noah and Sammy’s romance.
  5. Again, Noah…thank you for being the sweetest, most chivalrous Max Monroe MMC.

I write this next sentence about Max Monroe’s stories quite often, but it continues to ring true: Max Monroe’s Cluelessly Yours is the read you want for this weekend to escape the seriousness of your world. It’s sweet and spicy and funny and charming, and it’s not really a love triangle (thank God!), but there’s enough tension around two men pursuing Sammy that you might be annoyed with Max Monroe; it’ll be transitory when you realize the true stars of the book.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Rebecca Jenshak’s In Your Wildest Dreams, a Wildcat Hockey series story ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: B/B-

Tropes: pro hockey romance; troubled ex-; he falls first; cinnamon roll hero; found family; band of brothers

Rebecca Jenshak’s next story in her Wildcat Hockey series, In Your Wildest Dreams, is an apt reminder that a golden retriever/cinnamon roll hero who falls first is a pure delight. Jenshak’s newest book focuses on the difficulty of her hero, Ash Kelly, falling for her heroine, Bridget, first. Jenshak deftly takes her readers through Bridget’s story about relationship violence and a manipulative ex. She complicates it for Ash when she makes the ex-boyfriend, the newest assistant GM for Wildcat Hockey. This sets in motion a secreted relationship with tons of spicy. In fact, that’s the failsafe for In Your Wildest Dreams. Ash and Bridget are pure fire. 

Where I think the story finds trouble is the machinations of the ex. Yes, Jenshak highlights the power of relationship abuse to keep a victim silent. Bridget’s eventual willpower and courage are commendable. However, throughout the story, I thought Ash’s inaction was a flaw. He has power through the entirety of the story, and it’s his agent and/or manager. Yes, Ash struggles with understanding his role on the team and the power of his generosity with his teammates. However, it was difficult to accept that he’d readily allow a new assistant GM to harm his professional life. With so many hockey books in the romance market, it’s difficult to accept this narrative flaw. 

That being said, I did enjoy Ash and Bridget’s journey in In Your Wildest Dreams. It’s possible that I loved the band of brothers trope even more, as Rebecca Jenshak has crafted a hockey series that underlines the power of brotherhood.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release

✍🏻 Ash Kelly is Rebecca Jenshak’s most congenial MMC of her Wildcat Hockey series. You can’t help but fall in love with him in In Your Wildest Dreams. Grab it NOW! ✍🏻

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In Your Wildest Dreams by Rebecca Jenshak is now live! 

He’s the cocky, pro hockey player that tried to get my number during a game. Now he’s sidelined with an injury and I’m his new nurse.

The first time I met Ash Kelly, he stripped off his jersey and gave it to a little girl in the crowd, charming an arena full of fans in the process. Then he tossed me a puck and asked for my number. I was with my jerk ex-boyfriend, who was less than impressed with the whole thing.

The second time he crashes into my life it’s as my patient. There’s no way he should remember me, but he does. Being Ash’s nurse is torture. He’s stubborn and frustrating, and he won’t stop flirting with me now that he knows I’m single. He’s even recruited the entire hospital to help him win me over. And it’s working.

The more time I spend taking care of him, the more he breaks down my defenses. He’s kind and considerate, and he makes my heart race.

But I’ve sworn off dating and getting involved with a charming, handsome hockey player like Ash feels like a terrible idea. We go our separate ways again, despite our undeniable connection.

I should have known it wouldn’t be the last time. For some reason, the universe keeps throwing us together.

I’m finally ready to give him a chance, but there’s one little problem. My ex-boyfriend just got a new job as the assistant GM of the Wildcats. And the only thing he wants more than me is to screw over the man I’m falling for.

In Your Wildest Dreams is a hockey romance with a cocky, cinnamon roll hero, spice, banter, and a happily ever after. It’s the fourth book in the Wildcat Hockey series and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

  Download today on read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://geni.us/IYWDAmzn

Paperback: https://mybook.to/IYWDpb

Audible: https://geni.us/IYWDAudio

Narrated by: Erin Mallon & Jason Clarke

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/46yeptt

Meet Rebecca


Rebecca Jenshak is a USA Today bestselling author of new adult and sports romance. She writes sexy, feel-good stories with lots of swoon-worthy moments.

Rebecca lives in Arizona. When she isn’t writing, you can find her cheering on local sports teams, hanging out with friends and family, or curled up with a good book.

Sign up for her newsletter to be notified of new releases: https://rebeccajenshak.com/newsletter/

Connect with Rebecca

Website: https://www.rebeccajenshak.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16681160.Rebecca_Jenshak

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Jenshak/e/B074F258NP/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccajenshak

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1523746940998401

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccajenshak

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rebeccajenshak

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rebeccajenshak

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rebecca-jenshak

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Meghan Quinn’s He’s Not My Type ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: B+

Tropes: he falls first; close proximity; friends to lovers; pro hockey/sports romance; roommates; found family; band of brothers

I had eagerly anticipated Meghan Quinn’s He’s Not My Type, mostly because I’ve enjoyed her Vancouver Agitators series and secondly because I’ve been intrigued with Halsey Holmes. Insight into Professor A’s romance loves: broody, quiet, emotionally complex heroes/MMCs are my favorite. Hence, other than Silas Taters, I’ve hoped for Halsey’s story. 

For the most part, Quinn doesn’t disappoint with him. For one, what’s not to love about a “he falls first” trope for Quinn’s most internal character? Halsey falls deep, at first sight, for Blakely, her FMC. This creates two situations: his unrequited love grows to the point that he becomes awkward (very funny stuff) when he finally has the opportunity to date her, and two, his friends, the foundation of this series, are enlisted to help him. This provides pages upon pages of hilarious banter with this band of brothers we’ve all come to love. You’ll laugh out loud at their antics as they seek to aid Halsey in his pursuit of Blakely. Honestly, it’s the best part of He’s Not My Type…which is where the problem of this story lies.

You see, as much as I anxiously awaited this book, some aspects disappointed me…or, more concisely, confused me. For one, the pacing was strange. If you’ve read the first books of this series, you know that Halsey’s twin brother has died. I had wanted the background as well as the emotional journey that Halsey must undertake to work through the grief at the loss of his brother. Quinn does proffer that up, but she spends the last ten percent of the book working out Halsey’s emotions about it. What happens is a strange pacing situation in her book. The second issue is Blakely’s chemistry with Halsey. It’s clear that he pines for her. He’s attracted to her into speechlessness, but Blakely doesn’t return it until much later in the book. In fact, Blakely’s character journey feels pretty flat in contrast to Halsey’s, and it makes it difficult (at least for me) to accept her change of interest in Halsey…at least at first. Their physicality changes her impression of him. Quinn has Halsey morph from awkward broody quiet guy to alpha stud in the sheets. It’s not hard to understand Blakely’s change of heart, but it causes you to consider her reasons behind it. Then, when Halsey has his breakdown (again, in the last ten percent of the book), she’s all in and his emotional support. The emotional development of their relationship lacks the depth necessary to pull off the last portion of the story. At least, that’s how I felt in reading it. 

He’s Not My Type is less about the romance between Halsey and Blakely. That’s a foregone conclusion. Instead, it’s about the band of brothers and its impact on helping Halsey grieve. Much of that is couched in some delicious funny banter, but it’s more a deflection to the heart of this story: the love shared with teammates. Is this book typical Meghan Quinn? Indeed. Is it spicy? Absolutely! Halsey Holmes is a beast in the bedroom. But does the storytelling match the quality of the other Vancouver Agitators books? I’m not so sure. I am absolutely ready for Posey’s story; Quinn has set that up well. I’m thinking we might also get another character in this world, thanks to a crossover with the other books in her universe. I just hoped Halsey’s story would have had a stronger emotional impact than Meghan Quinn gifted us.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release

✍🏻 Halsey Holmes IS my favorite Vancouver Agitator, hands down. Meghan Quinn’s He’s Not My Type is equal parts spicy and funny and emotional. Make sure you break out the tissue box for this book, which is OUT NOW! ✍🏻

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Give me one night, Blakely. I’ll prove to you how much I deserve you.

“Tell me you want this. That you want me.”

HE’S NOT MY TYPE, a brand-new standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn, is Now Available in all formats!

✓ Friends-to-Lovers
✓ Fake Dating
✓ Roommates-to-Lovers
✓ Forced Proximity
✓ Found Family
✓ One Bed in a Room
✓ Sports Romance

Don’t miss this all new, roommates-to-lovers, standalone sports romance featuring the hockey men you can’t get enough of. This steamy, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy will bring all the laughs while making your cheeks blush at the same time.

One-click your copy of this sexy, laugh-out-loud romance today!

https://mybook.to/HesNotMyType

About HE’S NOT MY TYPE:

Word to the wise, never become roommates with a girl you’ve been pining over for the better part of a year. 

You’re probably wondering why I would do such a thing? Well, I didn’t. 

It was my teammates. 

The moment they found out Blakely White was single, they took it upon themselves to play cupid and instruct me on how I should win her over.

Don’t wear a shirt around her.
Make her dinner.
Lightly touch her shoulder when you say goodbye. 

I’m so flustered, so overwhelmed, so madly in love with this woman who barely notices me, that I lose control of the situation and make one huge mistake: I offer to be her fake date for a wedding so she can make her ex jealous. 

That means, for one whole night I get a free pass with her. I get to hold her, dance with her, kiss her…stare at her from across the room like she’s my entire world because she has been for months now. 

But when the night comes to an end, I’m faced with two options: bring her back to my bedroom and show her how I really feel, or let her walk away, succumbing to the fact that I very well might not be her type.

https://mybook.to/HesNotMyType

Erin Mallon and Connor Crais narrate this sexy, roommates-to-lovers romance in duet with a full cast including Jason Clarke, Teddy Hamilton, JF Harding, and Kelsey Navarro!

https://mybook.to/HesNotMyType

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/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Louise Bay’s Dr. Fake Fiance ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: B

Tropes: he falls first; fake engagement; pop star FMC; golden retriever MMC

Louise Bay’s Dr. Fake Fiance is definitely my favorite story of her The Doctors series. All of the stories in these books offer FMCs and MMCs that burrow their way into your heart. However, Beau and Vivan have something a bit more magical between them. For one, at a time when Swifties have fallen hard for Taylor and Travis Kelce’s romance, Beau and Vivian’s story has a similar feel. It’s easy to love Beau in Dr. Fake Fiance. He doesn’t take life too seriously and doesn’t know that Vivian is a superstar in hiding. He is a loveable “golden retriever” of a hero. In contrast, Vivian is guarded. She’s been hurt by the machinations of her former long-time fiance and burned by the media. London provides her with the perfect cover, but Vivian and Beau’s instant chemistry makes it difficult for her to keep hiding. Louise Bay has crafted Vivan and Beau so that friendship quickly morphs into something deeper and scary for both of them. While Beau is seemingly easy-going, we recognize that his past trauma has actually impacted him more than he ever suspects, and Vivian is granted the opportunity to take control of her life. Their story arcs are interesting and engaging, and you will find yourself cheering for their happy ending. 

Add to this the cornerstone of Bay’s The Doctors series: the familial bond of Beau’s family. This is the tether between the stories, and it acts as the grounding force for the internal struggles of this series’s heroes and heroines. It does the same for Vivian and Beau, allowing them some normalcy in their chaotic world. The guidance of Beau’s parents and his brothers’ wisdom becomes the impetus for Beau to move forward. 

If your Roman Empire is currently the Taylor + Travis romance, you absolutely want to read Louise Bay’s Dr. Fake Fiance. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release

✍🏻 If you’ve been obsessed with the Taylor + Travis romance, there are shades of that in this book: a swoony adventure-seeking MMC and a worldwide popular pop star FMC! Grab it NOW! ✍🏻

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Release Date: November 9, 2023
FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

She’s famous. He hasn’t a clue who she is.

I’m in London, in disguise, trying to hide from the tabloids, when I slam into a wall.

Except it’s not a wall. It’s a hot hunk of British man.

And I just poured scorching hot coffee all over him.

He goes from burn victim to my fiancé in three days flat. It’s all fake to divert tabloid attention away from my recent breakup with my longtime boyfriend-turned-traitor.

Except it doesn’t feel fake. The way he looks at me makes me shiver. When he touches me, I’m molten lava.
Neither of us is looking for anything serious.

Except…did I tell you how hot he looks playing naked Twister? He might just be husband material.

For real.



A standalone fake relationship romance in the Doctors Series.
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✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Jessica Peterson’s I Wish I Knew Then ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: A-/B+

Tropes: opposites attract; he falls first; second chance romance; small town romance; hate to love

Jessica Peterson’s I Wish I Knew Then is the perfect beginning to her newest series, Harbour Village. Peterson has envisaged a world that captivates her readers and promises more enticing stories. In this new story, Riley and Louise “Lu” meet in their youth and fall madly in love, but circumstances and familial expectations pull them apart, changing their life plans. Ten years later, Lu finds herself back in the small town where they met for her best friend’s wedding. In one moment, she reconnect with Riley, but initially their situation is precarious. The longer Louise stays in town, the more she is drawn to Riley, and she realizes quickly that Riley never forgot “Lu.” Instead, he created the world he imagined for them, and he’s insistent on reminding her of and encouraging her to realize her dreams. Can Lu move past her hurt and anger towards Riley who left her heartbroken ten years earlier?

Throughout I Wish I Knew Then, Jessica Peterson focuses on real-life situations through the course of her characters’ journeys. It’s what I love about her. It would be easy to write romance focused on crafting $ex scene after $ex scene. And Peterson lays it on “thick” in her newest book. Riley and Lu have chemistry and attraction in spades; however, Peterson has always infused her romance with real life truths. In her newest book, she untangles the difficulties of people from varied socio-economic backgrounds, the difficulty of choosing your dreams over the expectations of your family, the capacity for someone of a lower socio-economic class overcoming it to achieve success, and the balance of work and life in achieving dreams. Peterson creates characters who are female positive without giving up masculinity or being seemingly heavy-handed in its feminism. Riley is both alpha and beta. He strives to provide the means for Lu to imagine and live her dreams. He’s meant to raise her up, and this is a decided character trait, intentionally drawn by Peterson’s deft writing hands.

While Lu might be portrayed as indecisive about her future, this isn’t the case. Lu makes the greatest strides as she must buck her family’s expectations for her, pushing back against decades of familial tradition. To realize her dreams, she must choose herself. While it might seem that Peterson crafts Riley to give Lu her dreams; instead, Riley is drawn in such a way as to provide the space for her. Lu makes her own choices in her own time in her own way. Riley is simply there to protect Lu’s dreams. And that is the beauty of this romance. Riley doesn’t explain them to her; he doesn’t gift them to her; Riley simply encourages her to embrace her most truest self. My favorite moments in this book were the ones when Riley’s internal life reflects on his love for all parts of Lu. His love provides Lu with bravery because she can buck her family’s expectations for her own future.

Whether it’s the steam of her story or the intellectual insights threaded throughout her stories, Jessica Peterson has written I Wish I Knew Then to both titillate and test our perceptions. Riley and Lu’s romance will make you laugh, make you cry, and make your glasses fog. Ultimately, it will ask you to believe that love can transcend the challenges of life.

In love and romance,

Professor A