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.
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.
From New York Times, USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn. This steamy, laugh out loud, enemies-to-lovers, fake dating standalone romance is now available in all formats! Check out the excerpt below and one-click your copy today!
About BRIDESMAID BY CHANCE: When a chance at being a bridesmaid turns into a chance at being a bride, how can she possibly refuse? Hudson Hopper is in some trouble. After doing his business partner, Jude, a favor by hiring Jude’s younger sister, Sloane, Hudson very quickly finds out that she is a massive distraction―especially since she’s now his assistant. But when they are confronted with a situation where Sloane is told to fill in as a bridesmaid for one of Hudson’s business partners, she comes up with a trade. She’ll be a part of the regency wedding―corset and all―if Hudson marries her in return. Sloane knows the value of the trade: he needs her, and she needs his wedding ring to get her into a high-society club that will further her career. It’s an instant no from Hudson at first, but when she convinces him that no one will find out, including her brother, and that he will benefit from the marriage, too…well, Hudson might just find himself saying “I do.” down―and her heart along with it.
“Didn’t I fire you yesterday?” “I believe that you did.” She nods as if it’s no big deal. “Okay, so…care to tell me why you’re here, in my office, handing me a green drink with no sugar?” “I chose not to take part in the firing.” “What the hell does that mean?” I ask. And then to my surprise, she plops herself on top of my desk, crosses one leg over the other, and leans back on her hand, the pose incredibly too sexy, especially since the position makes the lapels of her suit jacket pop open, revealing that she’s not wearing a shirt under that blazer. Just a bra. Christ. “It means I chose not to be fired.” “That’s not a thing,” I say. “Oh, it is. You see, I’ve been taught to seize what I want, to take charge, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. Therefore, I’ve decided that I’m not fired.” “You can decide that all you want, but that’s not how things work. I’m the boss, you work for me; therefore, when I say you’re fired, you’re fired. There will be no point in coming into the office because I will not be paying you.” “Says who?” she asks.
I point to my chest. “Says me.” “And would you say that you’re the one that makes all the decisions?” “Uh, yeah. That’s what the term boss entails. The decision-maker.” “And your choice is to fire me?” What kind of fucking circus is this? Is this some sort of social media trend? Refusal to be fired? Am I actually old and I don’t realize it? “Yes, my choice is to fire you; that’s why I did it yesterday: I fired you.” “You did, but a part of me thinks that you might regret that decision.” I stick my hands in my pockets and ask, “What makes you think that?” “Because I have a proposal for you.” She hops off my desk and gestures toward my seating area. “Please, join me.” Skeptical but also intrigued by the fuckery, I follow her and take a seat on the couch as she does, only about a foot of space separating, close enough to catch the lavender scent that clings to her. “What’s going on, Sloane? I have things to do.” “I know; this won’t take too much of your time.” She places her hands on her lap and looks me in the eyes. “I was thinking about yesterday and everything that happened. And I know the right thing to do would be to come in here and tell you I didn’t mean any of the things that I said, but that would be a lie. I meant every single word.” Every single word? Because I remember specifically one thing in particular that she tried to deny saying, but I’m not going to bring that up, not when she’s sitting this close and smells this damn good. “Okay,” I say. “And an apology is not why I’m here. I’m here on business.” “Sloane, I don’t think I can give you your job back.” “Not looking to be your assistant,” she says, and then, to my surprise, she gets down on one knee in front of me, takes my hand in hers, and continues. “I’m looking to be your wife.” My WHAT? “Hudson Mitchell Hopper, will you marry me?” She smiles up at me. Blinks. Fucking winks… She’s kidding right? I look for something, anything, to tell me this is a joke. I glance around the room. Are there hidden cameras in here? Am I on a daytime talk show where someone is going to come out, have a gotcha moment, and say to the audience that I’ve been lusting after my too-young-for-me assistant? I wait a few seconds, and when I realize none of that is happening, I clear my throat. “Excuse me?”
“Look at you, in shock. How cute.” She pats my hand. “Hudson, it’s a simple question. Will you marry me?” “Uh…” I shake my hand out of hers and slide back on the couch, putting space between us. “Not to sound like an obtuse ass, but why the fuck would I marry you, Sloane?” She rolls her eyes. “And here I thought you were a smart businessman.” She gets off the ground and sits back on the couch. She straightens her clothes while I try to comprehend what the hell is happening this morning. This is why I need more coffee in the morning. Forget the green drink, I need a twenty-ounce cup of pure, unfiltered coffee, straight from the goddamn bean. “I’ll lay it out for you: you need a wife, and I’m the one for the job.” “I fail to see how I need a wife.” “Are you really that dense?” she asks. “Uh, are you really this delusional?” I counter. Another roll of the eyes. “Jesus, Hudson. You need to impress Archie’s father-in-law, right? What’s one way to do that? Slip into the Mayfair Club. And what is one of the requirements to get into the club? You must be married.” She holds out her hand and points to her empty ring finger. “All you’ve got to do is put a ring on it.” Wow. Okay. She’s lost it. I think the conversation I need to have with Jude is going to veer in a different direction that I’d thought. More like I think your sister might need some help . “You know, not really in the market for a wife at the moment, but thanks for the offer. Now, I think it’s time that you leave.” She shrugs. “Suit yourself.” She stands and starts heading toward the door. “By the way, your father called this morning. I took a message for you because I thought I might be helpful despite being fired. He said to tell you that he still plans on suing you, but he’s currently working on another investment, so he might be held up at the moment.” And then she heads out of my office, leaving my skin prickling with irritation. What the fuck just happened?
Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin narrate this steamy, marriage-of-convenience romcom in duet. BRIDESMAID BY CHANCE is now available on Audible!
ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN: New York Times 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.
L.B. Dunbar’s Holiday Hotties stories have engaged readers over the past couple of holiday seasons. This year’s offering, Grouch-ish, offers more of the same holiday spice with a fireman MMC who falls for his boss’s daughter while staying at the boss’s house. Her characters, Brock and Pear, aka Paradise, are shaded nicely in light and dark. Brock struggles with his guilt over the loss of a probie and the ending of his problematic marriage. He has been asked to his boss’s winter camp as a last-ditch effort to work through his issues. Pear has left her life behind, intent on reconnecting with her father over the holidays. Unfortunately, her father has other plans, leaving Pear lonely in his absence. When Brock arrives late and misses the shuttle to the camp, he’s left to earn his penance with Pear. It’s where Brock and Pear begin to fill something emotional and, eventually, physical in each other.
I enjoyed Pear and Brock’s journey to falling in love. Dunbar has a way of creating highs and lows in her plotting that keeps her reader engaged. However, one of my criticisms of Dunbar’s storytelling lies in her need to draw a heavy-handed allusion through her story. She’s done this in many of her stories, which detracts from the natural storytelling. In Grouch-ish‘s instance, she alludes to the Twelve Days of Christmas. Unfortunately, given the timing of her story, she adds a note at the beginning of her story to make allowances for it. I understand it as a mechanism to attach meaning to a holiday tradition; however, it’s not necessary for us to fall in love with Brock’s grumpiness turned romantic or Pear’s acceptance of her circumstances and future choices.
Overall, Grouch-ish is an enjoyable holiday romance for this holiday season. Brock and Pear will steal your heart for the holiday season.
From USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry comes a sweeping Western romance about undeniable attraction, unforeseen circumstances, and seemingly unbeatable odds.
My first day in Montana, I got into a tug-of-war over a grocery store shopping cart. The most handsome man I’d ever seen broke up the scuffle before he asked me on a date. I was seconds away from accepting but then he told me his name.
As an owner of the Haven River Ranch, Jax Haven wasn’t my boss. But he wasn’t not my boss either.
Obviously, my only option was to turn him down, scurry away, then pretend like he was a stranger on my first day of work. And obviously, I could never, ever admit that he was my secret crush.
For as hard as I work at my job, I work twice as hard to pretend Jax doesn’t exist. I don’t let myself think about his dazzling eyes or charming smile. I refuse to acknowledge how good he looks in a pair of faded Wrangler jeans. And as tempting as he is in a cowboy hat, Jax is a distraction I cannot afford.
Everything was going according to plan until the annual holiday party. Until I drank one too many flutes of champagne and let him sweep me off my feet. After a night in his bed, there was no more ignoring Jax Haven. Not when I’m pregnant with his baby.
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Devney Perry is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing. She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.
My mother only wanted me to learn one lesson growing up…
Men are trash.
Her father left her, and then my father left us. Being raised by her and my grandmother, I was surrounded by the reminder to be independent and guard my heart.
After my one and only experience with a boy in college fell flatter than a pancake, I realized they were right — and I was content to live the life of a twenty-six-year-old cat lady.
Until Will Perry blew my quiet world to smithereens.
Starting goalie for the Tampa Bay Ospreys and the kind of hot that scrambles your brain, all I was ever supposed to be to him was his daughter’s kindergarten teacher. Then, in a twist of events, his temporary nanny.
But temporary turns to permanent, and when I move into his pool house, everything changes.
He’s impossibly grumpy and focused on only two things: hockey, and taking care of his daughter. I’m only focused on using this new income to pay back my student loans.
But in that house, I feel his heated gaze beneath that permanent scowl, the way it lingers and warms my skin. And though I know my mother would lose her mind if she knew, my dreams have become midnight fantasies about my long-haired, muscle-lined mystery of a boss.
When the tension becomes too much, we break, and we make a deal.
He still needs a nanny. I still need a paycheck and for my matriarchy to not disown me. But Will agrees to teach me everything I’ve always wanted to learn, and I’m all too eager to be his student.
I can do this. I’m a grown woman. I can explore my sexuality with the hottest goalie on earth and still remain one-hundred percent professional. And I can definitely do it all without catching feelings.
I have to.
Otherwise, I’ll end up heartbroken in my mother’s arms while she shakes her head and asks me if I’ll ever learn my lesson.
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Kandi Steiner is a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author and whiskey connoisseur living in Tennessee. Best known for writing “emotional rollercoaster” stories, she loves bringing flawed characters to life and writing about real, raw romance — in all its forms. No two Kandi Steiner books are the same, and if you’re a lover of angsty, emotional, and inspirational reads, she’s your gal.
An alumna of the University of Central Florida, Kandi graduated with a double major in Creative Writing and Advertising/PR with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her love for writing started at the ripe age of 10, and in 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.”
She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic, and likes to highlight all the challenges of love as well as the triumphs.
When Kandi isn’t writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, planning her next adventure, or pole dancing (yes, you read that right). She enjoys live music, traveling, hiking, yoga, playing with her fur babies and soaking up the sweetness of life.
Two truths are self-evident about Kristen Ashley and her brand of romance: she writes the found family trope better than just about everyone, and she is the queen of writing a girl gang. Over and over again, whether it’s the Rock Chicks, her Dream Team ladies, or MC babes, Ashley wins her readers over with the characteristics of her writing that matter to her readers: community and depth of storytelling. Her latest book, Avenging Angel, of her spinoff Rock Chicks series, Avenging Angel, is no different. If you’ve read her Rock Chick/Hot Bunch series or her Dream Team series, you’ve read this story before: quirky, independent FMC, attractive, protective MMC, and a plot infused with past characters, suspenseful moments, and pure romance. Avenging Angel is no different. Well, except that it is in a way.
Reading Avenging Angel was like going home after a long stay away. Ashley recognizes the interests of her readers, and the Rock Chicks/Hot Bunch/Dream Team have been her bread and butter, so to speak. While she has written several novels in that series, there are beloved characters, the next generation, that have piqued the curiosity of her fan base. Sniff aka Julien Jackson aka Cap has found keen interest from readers. To grant us access to his story, set it in Phoenix (also connecting us to her River Rain series…), and bring back characters such as Mace, Lee, and the rest of the Hot Bunch, is a dream to many of us, her dedicated readers. Here’s where Ashley deviated with this story, where I think she has listened to readers or read reviews. It can be hard to accept a true alpha hero today. Some might consider it toxic masculinity. While she could write that type of hero ten or so years ago, it’s a hard pill to swallow today. This is where her genius lies with this new series. Julien (“Cap”) has learned from the best: the Hot Bunch but also his adopted mother, Shirleen. As such, Ashley gifts us with a modern-day hero, one who is both protective and possessive but also acknowledges and respects Rachel aka Raye’s choices. Cap and Raye work together acknowledging each other’s strengths and personal choices. We can still fall in love with Cap’s want to protect Raye, while also recognizing her autonomy and authority. This reads like growth in these beloved Kristen Ashley universes. And I’m here for it.
Even more, Ashley has gifted us with more of her universe. The rest of the Angels are coming, Tito and Tex as protective father figures, and the potential for connections to the River Rain gang means an opportunity for more stories like Cap and Raye’s. The overall story behind this series, a dangerous element threatening the local community, is the thread between the books. Ashley’s focus on the plight of $ex workers and human trafficking lends gravity to her newest romance. Her allusion to Charlie’s Angels makes for a titillating read especially if you were raised on Kelly Garrett, Jill Munroe, and Sabrina Duncan. These were women who were both beautiful and intelligent. And this is the foundation of Kristen Ashley’s Avenging Angel series. In 2024, a romance such as this one is needed, showcasing the strength of women with men at their backs to support their choices.
Thank you, Kristen, for reminding me, once again, why your stories are supreme. Avenging Angel did not disappoint. It holds all the best of the Rock Chick/Hot Bunch world with its own signature of female authority and power.
J. Saman is a USA Today and Amazon top 40 bestselling author who writes sassy, swoony, and scorching contemporary romances. She is addicted to Diet Coke, sour candy, and indie rock. She swears way too much (especially after a glass of wine) and has a penchant for sarcasm (or so her husband and children like to tell her).
J. is an admitted lover of second chance romances, enemies to lovers, and the perfect amount of angst. She is best known for writing funny and emotional romances filled with smart, strong women, and sexy alphas who have a softer side—especially for their women.
Tropes: FMC with secrets; anti-heroic vibes, protective MMC; football romance; insta-attraction; small town vibes; romantic suspense; serial killer fun
Honestly, Tijan is always a surprise. You’re never certain what you’ll get when you jump into one of her books, but there is a certainty that you won’t leave it the same person. Her newest book, My Anti-Hero, held me in its thrall. There are so many aspects to this book that engaged me from page to page. Let me count the ways…
Tijan has this way of changing her writing style. For this book, there was a starkness to her writing style. It contrasts with the secrets of the story, the quiet unraveling of Billie and Brett. Tijan’s intentionality in this is impressive.
The evolving storyline with its many twists and turns. I did see the book’s secrets, but Tijan moved it around enough that it kept me guessing and wondering if I had it all wrong.
I ADORE that Brett and Billie are endgame from almost the beginning. Their romance and eventual love are the foundation of a suspenseful thriller, which is really the focus of this book. Even when one of them considers pulling away, Tijan shuts that down through the power of their connection, reminding us that there are more serious issues in this book, say a serial killer.
My Anti-Hero is on trend with fans’ obsession with crime thrillers. Tijan deftly entwines parts of her Fallen Crest/Roussou universe with her Enemies football world, and she pins it with the suspense of the world of serial killers. All of this conspires to keep you turning each page whether it be for a glimpse of a former beloved character (Mason and Samantha) or the intricacy of the suspense plot (is Billie really safe?).
There is much to love about My Anti-Hero: their undying love, the Tijan universe nods, the spice, everything. I simply couldn’t put this story down. You don’t need to read any of those stories mentioned above to read this one. In fact, if you’re a crime junkie, you should pick this one up and get lost in its secrets. However, if you’d love to be in on Tijan’s Easter eggs, start reading her booklist. You will NOT regret it. Oh…and thankful that Brett and Billie got their happily ever after.
Tropes: single dad MMC; small town; grump-sunshine; nanny FMC; surprise baby; age gap; insta-attraction; close proximity
Jessica Peterson’s I Wish You Were Mine is the type of romance you expect from a socially-conscious, writer such as herself. Tuck and Maren’s story is a tangled mess of forbidden feelings, combustible chemistry, and charm. This is a complicated bind that leaves you with whiplash as Tuck and Maren find their way through a messy love.
I enjoyed the first book of Peterson’s newest series, I Wish I Knew Then, but nothing prepared me for how much I would love Maren and Tuck’s romance. And Peterson doesn’t make it easy on her readers’ emotions. She has incorporated the theme of fear into Maren and Tuck’s characterizations. Their fears are different, but the idea of fear, to a certain degree, binds them, allows them to cling to each other. Peterson beautifully shines the differences in approaches to handling their fears: one who resolves it through the buoy of love and the other who momentarily destroys because they don’t lean into love.
Throughout the story, Peterson intertwines Katie as an amelioration of the tension and chemistry between Maren and Tuck, and she provides the reality. Even more, Katie’s characterization provides humor when the book feels heavy. Add to all of that a supporting cast of characters in Tuck’s family and friends as well as Maren’s parents to add both the flame to the tension but also the wizened guides necessary to helping Tuck overcome the shadows of his past.
Jessica Peterson deftly and carefully ties together a romance that tugs at your heart in I Wish You Were Mine. One of the things I love about Peterson’s romance voice is her willingness to dive deep into difficult situations, showing us all sides of an issue through her characterizations and plotlines. Of the two books in her Harbour Village series, I Wish You Were Mine is my favorite thus far.
Professor Romance 