Tag: Opposites Attract

new release

✍🏻 I mean, Kristen Ashley could write the hell out of the phone book. Anything she touches is pure heaven. Smooth Sailing, her newest MC romance a la her Chaos series, is HERE! Hugger and Diana absolutely will steal your time and your heart! ✍🏻

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She lives life to the fullest.
He doesn’t know what hit him.

Smooth Sailing, an all-new page-turning forced proximity, opposites-attract MC romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Ashley is available now!

When the Chaos Motorcycle Club came to call, Harlan “Hugger” McCain wasn’t ready to be welcomed into the fold. They said he was a legacy. He felt like an outcast.

But he patched in anyway.

And he was all in to be a part of their not-quite-outlaw missions.

This takes him down to Phoenix, right into the orbit of Diana Armitage, a beautiful, green-eyed woman with a heart of gold and a scarily honed tendency to sacrifice for pretty much everyone she cares about, and some people she barely knows.

Hugger has been existing. Life has never given him much, now, he expects even less.

Diana lives life to its fullest. And she doesn’t keep it a secret she wants to drag Hugger right along with her.

But Hugger is certain he’s got bad blood. He’s got one foot in Chaos, one foot out. One foot in Diana’s life, one foot out.

Diana and his brothers in Chaos have their work cut out to show Hugger who he is.

That he belongs.

And he’s worthy to be loved.

Start reading today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OM12yt
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/SmoothSailing
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4fZJTNI
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3BlGYQo
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3ZHvoIO
Google Play: https://bit.ly/4hCMNbK

Listen on audio narrated by Joseph Discher, James Lurie & Stella Bloom: https://adbl.co/4gIoHw5

Add Smooth Sailing to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4ghAXTS

Start the series of standalones with Still Standing→ https://bit.ly/3MAF4gY

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

Connect with Kristen Ashley
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/44hqxyI
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new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Melanie Harlow’s Slap Shot Surprise, book 5 of her Cherry Tree Harbor series ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: A-/B+

Tropes: ONS to more; accidental pregnancy; professional hockey player; opposites attract; small-town romance

Melanie Harlow’s Slap Shot Surprise is one of my favorite stories of her Cherry Tree Harbor series. Throughout this series, Harlow has written engaging characters fraught with outside issues, and this newest book is more of the same. Joe and Mabel are likable, drawing you into their journey of falling in love after a one-night stand of fun turned accidental pregnancy. Even as Joe struggles between his growing feelings for Mabel and his desire to remain single and free, Harlow held me in the thrall of her characters’ progression. Now, I did struggle with Mabel’s character development in that she readily forgoes her professional aspirations. I don’t want to reveal more of this, but it seemed incongruous with her characterization. I found myself questioning her final choices even though it intensified the romance of this book. 

There is something lovely about Joe and Mabel in Slap Shot Surprise, but it’s balanced well with their chemistry and desire – adding spice to all the right places. I would have also liked more of her brothers in this story, but I believe Harlow had a bit of a balancing act between the Buckleys and the Lupos.

Slap Shot Surprise is such a great book for a relaxing weekend read.

In love and romance,


Professor A

new release

✍🏻 It’s FINALLY here! Melanie Harlow’s Slap Shot Surprise is LIVE. I ADORE Joe and Mabel. ✍🏻

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💜 NEW RELEASE 💜

From USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow comes an opposites attract, steamy small town hockey romance.

In my defense, I thought the plane was going to crash.

Otherwise, I never would have blurted out those embarrassing things to a perfect stranger.

Did I mention he turned out to be a scorching hot superstar of professional hockey?

But wait, there’s more.

When the plane lands safely, I rush off, praying I’ll never have to face him again. My luck holds out for less than twenty-four hours, when I realize he’s a groomsman at the wedding I’m attending.

We end up having a drink and a good laugh about my panicked confessions, and when he invites me up to his room for some no-strings-attached fun, I say yes. After all, a headboard rattling one-night stand with a guy who knows how to put the puck in deep isn’t something a bookworm like me ever thought she’d experience.

Neither are those two little pink lines.

Now what’s crashing are all the plans Joe Lupo and I had for our lives–separately.

After all, we’re totally wrong for each other. He’s commitment-phobic and completely focused on his career. And I want to plant roots in my small town–with someone who chooses me.

Love? It’s out of the question.

Until Joe Lupo lines up his shot and aims straight for my heart.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝗽 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱!
Amazon/KU >>  https://harlow.pub/SlapShotSurprise-amazon
Discreet Paperback >> https://geni.us/slapshotsurprise
Audio >> https://harlow.pub/SlapShotSurprise-audible

ABOUT MELANIE HARLOW

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USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow writes sweet, sexy, feel-good romance. She likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. If she’s not writing or reading, she’s probably at Orangetheory or watching Schitt’s Creek again. She lifts her glass to readers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.

Connect with Melanie

Website: www.melanieharlow.com

Amazon: https://harlow.pub/amazon

Bookbub: http://harlow.pub/bb

Goodreads: http://harlow.pub/goodreads

Facebook: http://harlow.pub/ap

Facebook Group: http://harlow.pub/harlots

Instagram: http://harlow.pub/insta

TikTok: https://harlow.pub/tiktok

Newsletter: http://harlow.pub/mh-news

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: J. Saman’s Undeniably Infatuated, book 3 of her Boston’s Irresistible Billionaires ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: A-

Tropes: forbidden; brother’s ex; forced proximity; second chance; secret romance; FMC in trouble; grump/sunshine; opposites attract; he falls first

J. Saman’s newest series, Boston’s Irresistible Billionaires, is not disappointing. This next-gen series invites her readers back into her previous book worlds, mixing former characters’ children into love matches. Her newest story, Undeniably Infatuated, I believe is my favorite to date. Saman carefully interweaves some romantic suspense with a spicy, secretive, forbidden relationship with “undeniable” chemistry between her main characters, Stone and Tinsley. From the outset, the big question is…how will Saman handle the complicated relationship between Stone and Tinsley, given that Tinsley is Stone’s brother’s ex-girlfriend, who he’s still obsessed with? I’ll be honest. I was nervous because, if mishandled, the believability of Stone and Tinsley’s relationship would be undermined. It created a complex problem for Saman, and she handled it well because she granted them space and time to process their feelings about it. She also allowed Stone to acknowledge the complication without wasting his opportunity with Tinsley. This situation required a careful balancing act with intentionality and decisive writing, and Saman did this well. 

I love a romance where the gruff playboy of an MMC falls hard for the erstwhile, independent FMC, and Saman crafts this well in Undeniably Infatuated. I loved the tension of their coupling as well as their fire and eventual romantic happy ending. Undeniably Infatuated is exactly what the doctor ordered for a weekend of reading. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Jessica Peterson’s Cash, book 1 of the Lucky River Ranch series ✍🏻

professorromance

Overall Grade: A

Tropes: enemies to lovers; hate to love; cowboy; opposites attract; small town; boss/employee (owner/foreman of the ranch)

Jessica Peterson seemed to have cornered the market on intelligent, spicy romance set in the Carolinas. Whether she writes chefs, romance writers, farmers, lux resort owner siblings, or bonds people, she finds a way to infuse romance tropes with deep issues. When she announced her foray into cowboy romance, this reader was excited because I knew she would put her storytelling stamp on this genre. And she did this beautifully in the first book of her newest series, Lucky River Ranch, Cash. What Jessica Peterson didn’t know, through the scope of Mollie and Cash’s wild journey of hate to love, was her impressive ability to capture the trauma of divorce and death in the lives of the children of divorced couples.  Cash provided an apt mirror of my own story; this capacity for storytelling leaves me wanting more stories from Jessica Peterson. 

Peterson’s newest book, Cash, is spicy, perfectly paced, and engaging. Mollie and Cash’s immediate chemistry is the initial draw to the story. Their meet cute when Cash assumes Mollie’s a spoiled socialite who turned her back on her father, sets up the emotional tether between these two. As Mollie moves between grief and ire and grief and loyalty, you can’t help but champion the coupling of Mollie and Cash. From the start of this story, Peterson held me in the thrall of her story. It’s funny, it’s tear-invoking, and it’s sweet. By the end of Cash, you will be hoping for a short time until the next book of the series, Wyatt, because the other characters in the story are just as compelling and engaging as Mollie and Cash. 

There is so much more to this new series from Jessica Peterson. I love a cowboy romance, but I’m sure she will be one of my favorite authors of this subgenre of romance. 

In love and romance,

Professor A

Cover Reveal

✍🏻 I was in a post-Book Bonanza coma yesterday and didn’t get a chance to show you this beautiful specimen. J. Saman is NOT disappointing with Sean as Dr. Owen Fritz. Hell-oooo handsome! Get ready for Undeniably Forbidden, coming July 22nd! ✍🏻

professorromance

J. Saman has revealed the gorgeous cover for Undeniably Forbidden!

Releasing: July 22, 2024

Cover Design: Lori Jackson Design

Photographer: Michelle Lancaster

Model: Sean

In my defense, I had no clue the gorgeous guy I had a wildly steamy night with was my brother’s best friend. Or the single dad of the little girl I was about to nanny.

I hadn’t seen Dr. Owen Fritz since I was twelve and he was twenty-four, but even back then, I didn’t care much about him.

He was doing his billionaire, master-of-the-universe, medical school thing, and I was too into art and books to notice anyone.

Now he’s cold and broody, but he doesn’t scare me the way he does everyone else.

He’s been scarred, but I’ve been scarred worse.

We both promise to leave that night in the past, vowing to keep this secret between us and stay professional from now on.

Especially since I’m living with him—sleeping down the hall from him—and his adorable little girl.

Until one night of hell changes everything and all those promises we’ve been struggling to keep don’t just break, they shatter.

Now there’s no holding him back.

And the more he watches me with those magnetic eyes or whisks me into dark corners and puts his heated hands on my body, the more I forget why what we’re doing is so undeniably forbidden.

We’re playing with an unstoppable fire.

And we’re both about to get burned.

Pre-order your copy today!

http://geni.us/UndeniablyForbidden

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3URHD36

Meet J. Saman

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.

Connect with J. Saman

Website: http://jsamanbooks.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14923699.J_Saman

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Saman/author/B01FOIUR46

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jsamanbooks

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jsamanbooks

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jsamanbooks

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jsamanbooks

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-saman

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jsamanbooks/

Verve: https://ververomance.com/app/jsamanbooks

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Rebecca Jenshak’s Burnout ✍🏻

professorromance

Overall Grade: A-

Tropes: bad boy/good girl; opposites attract; grump/sunshine; sports romance; alpha-hero; band of brothers

Who knew how refreshing an Olympic gymnast FMC and a motocross MMC could be as romantic characters? Let’s face it; there’s a run on hockey romance right now in romancelandia. Rebecca Jenshak has inhabited the world of college basketball, college hockey, and professional hockey at great length. Bringing us into the worlds of motocross and gymnastics was refreshing, and it raised the level of her storytelling. 

I couldn’t put down Jenshak’s Burnout for the first time in a bit. Knox and Avery’s banter, their compelling attraction, and the complication of their friends-with-benefits/situationship are enticing. I hated to leave them because Jenshak has created a chemistry between the two that is undeniable and engaging. Highlighting the tension of Knox’s need to care for his family is the emotional foundation of this story, and it draws the reader in. The way that Jenshak takes her reader to almost the end for Knox’s revelation about his feelings for Avery keeps you glued to the book. My one criticism is the ease at which Knox realizes this. He moves from failing to communicate with Avery to being all in which created a bit of a continuity issue for me. However, his profession of love is magnetic and romantic. Even more, the ending of Burnout and its bonus epilogue are adorable. 

Rebecca Jenshak earned a gold medal with Burnout. She should stand proudly on the podium and accept all the accolades for a compelling new story.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Kandi Steiner’s Learn Your Lesson, book 3 of her Kings of the Ice series ✍🏻

professorromance

Overall Grade: A

Tropes: single dad; teacher/nanny; forced proximity; hockey romance; band of brothers; forbidden; grump/sunshine; age gap; opposites attract; spicy lessons

Two weeks out and Kandi Steiner’s Daddy P still sits with me. Learn Your Lesson, book 3 of her Kings of the Ice series, is my favorite. Why? Well, for a number of reasons.

  1. Kandi Steiner’s writing voice has evolved. I’d like to think it has more to do with her personal life, but the angst of A Love Letter to Whiskey seems a thing of the past. Is there angst in Learn Your Lesson? Why yes there is! However, this isn’t “steal-your-soul-angst”; Steiner recognizes that people are fraught and it affects relationships. Every relationship has ups and downs, and as Will allows himself to love and be loved, he and Chloe must struggle through his battle. This is organic to Learn Your Lesson, and one of the reasons I adore their journey.
  2. Add a kid, and I’m in. Create an unique relationship between the kid, in this case, Ava and Chloe, and the emotional gravitas is built. Ava is everything you love in romance: precocious, adorable, and also fraught like her daddy. Like Chloe and Will, she also undertakes a character journey. While it isn’t the most important journey of the story, Steiner uses it to build Chloe’s character as the true hero of Learn Your Lesson.
  3. Steiner’s craftsmanship of Chloe is my favorite. She is a woman battling the matriarchal rule of her childhood and finding herself. She’s insightful, joyful, and independent. Her tenacity to bring joy into Will and Ava’s life is one of the draws to this story. She knows herself and her wants, and she goes after it. She’s the type of female character romance readers are drawn to.
  4. The band of brothers of the hockey team adds layers to the story. For one, it allows us to revisit the characters of the series’ first two books, but it evolves the characters who have stories to come. Steiner entices and invests us deeper into her series by bringing the old while mixing it with the future. I cannot wait for Aleks’s story based on how much more Steiner gifts us about him in this story.

I’m invested. Daddy P (Will) currently owns my heart in this series. What’s not to love about a recovering grump who falls hard for his sunshiney nanny? Everything!

In love and romance,


Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Reviews: Jessica Peterson’s I Wish We Had Forever, the final book of her Harbour Village series ✍🏻

professorromance

Overall Grade: A-

Tropes: brother’s best friend; best friend’s sister; small town; unrequited until it’s not; fated/soulmates; opposites attract; fake marriage

Jessica Peterson’s I Wish We Had Forever is the perfect exclamation point to a series that has stolen the hearts of many, including mine. A story in her Harbour Village series, her newest book tells the story of Abel, the friend of the heroes in the first two books of the series, and Jen, the younger sister of Tuck from book 2. Peterson has crafted a narrative that delves deep into the emotional struggles of two souls meant to be more, but Abel’s past and family have taught him that he “isn’t enough” for Jen. The tension between Abel’s clear love and attraction for Jen and his reticence to pursue her for something more is a heart-wrenching journey. You want to reach into the story and comfort him, telling him he is worthy of Jen’s brand of “good girl” love. Peterson uses the character of Abel to incite your emotions because his denial is painful to endure at times. 

The heat of the book comes from Jen’s willingness to accept his idea of a fake marriage. In fact, this is one of Peterson’s steamiest since Abel likes it rough and dirty. When Jen and Abel decide to get it out of their system, it lights the pages on fire. Peterson vacillates between their $exfest and their emotional entanglement. 

Thankfully, I Wish We Had Forever has the Harbour Village crew to add dimension to Abel and Jen’s story. From the tension between Tuck and Abel to the fatherly advice of Tuck and Jen’s father, Joe, readers find themselves on a roller coaster of emotions. As Joe shows Abel the truth about himself, he recognizes that he has loved and will always love Jen, mitigating their final coupleship. For me, Joe and Abel’s talk was the impetus for my tears in this story because Abel just wants to love and be loved by the love of his life. 

Jessica Peterson’s I Wish I Had Forever provides the perfect ending to her Harbour Village series. It stands as a powerful testament that love, when given a chance, can conquer our pasts and set us up for a beautiful future. It’s a beacon of hope, reminding us that love has the power to heal and transform, if we simply allow it.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release, Review

✍🏻 Professor Romance’s Review: Jillian Liota’s The Echo of Regret, the final book of the Cedar Point series ✍🏻

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Overall Grade: B

Tropes: second chances; pro baseball MMC; artist FMC; small town romance; opposites attract

The Echo of Regret is the first book I’ve read from Jillian Liota. Something about the blurb attracted me to this story, even though it’s the final book of her Cedar Point series and I hadn’t read the earlier books of the series. With all of that, I was pleasantly surprised that I chose well with this story. Often when you read a story in a series, you feel as though you missed out on a bigger sense of the story. I never felt this way reading The Echo of Regret. Did it pique my curiosity for the other stories? Of course, but I also didn’t feel compelled to pick them up immediately to read them. 

Bishop and Gabi have different intensities throughout the book. At first, Bishop reads as almost indifferent to the reason for their break-up. It is underplayed in contrast to Gabi’s disdain for him. Even more, Liota ameliorates this pretty quickly which is one of my criticisms of this book. Bishop moves from indifference to intense interest in reconciling. At 61%, Bishop and Gabi are already moving towards reconciliation, and I thought they needed more discussion of the past before doing this (my second criticism). I’m certain Liota didn’t want her readers to wait too long for it, given Gabi tended to cycle through her feelings for Bishop quite a bit (almost repetitively – my third criticism). Still, Liota remedies it through Gabi and Bishop moving forward. Bishop recognizes that Gabi will never be more important than baseball, the mindset of a man four years older and wiser. 

Jillian Liota’s The Echo of Regret reminded me of Laura Pavlov, Devney Perry, and that ilk. It’s sweet and spicy small-town romance that uplifts after putting you through a juggernaut of emotions first. If this is your jam, you should grab this one!

In love and romance,

Professor A