Review: Resilient Love by Giuliana Victoria

Resilient Love by Giuliana Victoria
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Can you put two sports in one book!? Yes please! And bring it in hot because Giuliana sure did.

Putting Raf and Elise together? Pure magic and heat personified.

Never doubt what a man will do to please his coach, even if it's coaching his coach's daughter's football league. In order to get to the Olympics Elise must play on a team, but that team needs a coach to win. When Rafael comes on the scene she knows that life just got a little more difficult. And because of how the last coach was let go, things are a little — tense to say the least. But can what they feel for each other be worth breaking a few rules? To find out you'll have to read.

A great sports romance with heat that will knock your socks off! I mean read this: "Oh, and princess? There won’t be anything nice about how I plan to play with you." Are my panties melting over here?

I'd like to thank the author for the opportunity to read this book!

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Review: The Penalty Player by Kristin Lee

Title: The Penalty Player

Author: Kristin Lee
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 

She guards her heart behind old rules and fresh scars.

I’m determined to prove she’s the only game I want to win.

Now, a Caribbean getaway with our friends throws us into one room, with one bed, and buried flames ignite.

Every minute spent close to her brings back just how much I’ve always loved her—especially when a rogue lizard sneaks into my bed, sending us into a fit of laughter and landing us tangled together under the island stars.

When we return to reality, we face game changing twists—one of which is a big fat plus sign—a slap shot I didn’t see coming.

The Penalty Player is a complete standalone in the multi-author series Hockey USA.

Review:

Kristin Lee has brought the heat again in her book The Penalty Player.

Becca is divorced and is worried that she's never going to have the things in life she expected to have. A husband, kids, and a life worth living. But as her Mamaw told her, "When what you need is a hell-raising, beer-drinking man who loves to be surrounded by friends and family." (Boy do I wish I could have met that lady when I was younger!) So when she goes on the Stallion's reunion, the last thing she hopes to find is the man she's always loved... with his girlfriend. But after Corbin and his girlfriend show up, one thing leads to another, and Corbin's girl finds her way home.

Corbin has always done what his father wants until now. So when he gets to the reunion and sees Becca there the pull is too much. Fate lends a hand, and they are "forced" to share a room since Becca's friend wasn't able to make it to the reunion, leaving an empty bed and another couple needed Corbin's single room.

This book brings the best to just one bed, forced proximity, and hockey romance (though I would have loved a ton more hockey -- but who wouldn't? I mean hockey players... am I right?)

I'd like to thank the author and Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Stolen by Anita Ruffino

Title: Stolen

Author: Anita Ruffino
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
For six years, they've been my best friends—four devastatingly handsome roommates who never suspected how deeply my feelings had grown. As graduation approaches and our time together dwindles, walls crumble and confessions spill forth.
My best friends want me.
All of them.
And I want them back.
What begins as a dizzying exploration of passion quickly spirals into nightmare when I vanish without a trace—kidnapped during a date with the son of a powerful mob boss.
Trapped.
A pawn in a vicious Mafia power struggle.
With no knowledge of whether my date survived the attack that tore me away, I'm forced to navigate a lethal underworld where family feuds are settled in blood. As rival factions circle and tensions escalate, one thing becomes clear: I'm at the center of a war about to explode.
The men who took me have no idea what they've unleashed.
It's time to release the dogs of war.

Review:

Noooo, this cannot be the end of the book!! Be prepared for the cliffhanger of a lifetime folks!

I was not expecting this book. When I started reading it I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this fierce, why choose, burn the world if you hurt her/him, dark romance! Anita has shocked me in the best of ways and I can’t wait to see what’s up her sleeves for the next book!! Kudos!

I’d like to thank the author and Literary Inspired for the opportunity to read this book!!

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Crossed Paths by Dani Elias

Title: Crossed Paths

Author: Dani Elias
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Two souls, one journey, and a spark they never saw coming.

Alexandra
Two years after my divorce, life has settled into a predictable rhythm—running the pub, cooking for one, and dodging my brother Peter’s constant attempts to fix my social life. When he drags me along on a village ramble, I’m only going to keep the peace. Then Hunter shows up. He’s Peter’s best mate, the charming hotel owner who always seems to have a smile and a clever remark ready. He claims he’s just scoping out the walk for his guests, but somehow, he keeps ending up right by my side, making me laugh and, annoyingly, reminding me what it feels like to have fun. I’ve been waiting for life to surprise me—maybe I’ve been waiting in the wrong place.

Hunter
Owning a small, exclusive hotel comes with its challenges—like knowing how to sell guests on the local attractions. So, when I hear about a village walking group, I decide to give it a shot. For “research,” of course. My best mate Peter agrees to tag along, but he brings his sister Alexandra, and suddenly, I’m in over my head. Alex isn’t just Peter’s big sister; she’s gorgeous, clever, and has this spark I can’t ignore. Too bad she’s also living like a hermit, and Peter wants me to help “get her back out there.” What he doesn’t know is that I’ve fancied her for years. Nudging her out of her shell might just break mine wide open.

Review:

Dani Elias' new book Crossed Paths is a beautifully written book about Alexandra (Alex) who has been hurt one too many times and has decided that the only way to remedy that situation is to stay holed up in her own little world.

Hunter has always liked Alex, but the bro code kept him from acting on it for fear of losing his best friend. But when he joins in on the Ramblers group he's back in touch with Alex and realizes that the feelings he's held at check won't stay hidden for much longer.

If you love a small town romance, with extra steam, a farting dog, and a meddling neighbor then this book is for you. Pick up Dani's new book coming soon.

I'd like to thank Happily Booked and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Review: Backed by You by A. Boss

Title: Backed by You 

Author: A. Boss
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
Callie Ryan

I came to Montana for peace and quiet, not a moody landlord with walls higher than the mountains surrounding his property.
Beau Montgomery is frustratingly handsome with his piercing eyes and capable hands. He’s a man of few words, all of them gruff and spoken alongside a scowl that could freeze hell itself.
This is his sanctuary. And I’ve invaded it.
But when Hollywood calls me back, he’s there—steady, protective, and unexpectedly gentle. Now I’m seeing another side of the brooding mountain man, one that makes my heart race.
And for the first time, success isn’t what I’m hiding from.

Beau Montgomery

She’s a pain in my ass.
A sassy little woman with the body of a goddess who doesn’t think she has to listen to a word I say. And don’t even get me started on how she drives like she just robbed a bank.
She’s temporary. I don’t do temporary.
Not since I learned how quickly everything can change.
But there’s something about her that gets under my skin—the way she talks to her dog, how she sees through my defenses, the quiet strength behind her smile.
I’ve spent years building walls to keep everyone out. Now the one woman who shouldn’t belong in my world is the only one I can’t imagine living without.
After fifteen years of dedicating my life to this country, I didn’t think I’d be put on my knees, begging for a chance at forever.

Review:

Beau's reluctantly back in town because of a military injury, and when he finds that there's someone in "his" cabin he's not thrilled. All he wants is to be alone, and staying with his family won't allow that. So one night, after trying to sleep in the rain - in a tent - his better judgement goes out the door.

Callie has come to Montana at the suggestion of her best friend, but she wasn't expecting to love it as much as she does. But why is she hiding in rural Montana, and from what?

The sparks fly between Beau and Callie in the latest book from A. Boss, and is by far her best book yet! If you love a grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance, this book is for you.

I'd like to thank A. Boss for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.

Audiobook Review: The Makeup Girl by Eddy Twice

The Makeup Girl: Crash On You by Eddy Twice
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ivy lost it all, her boyfriend, her home, her furniture, even her bed. And when she's forced to get a job after not having had one for a while, she lands a job at a makeup company. I found it hard to believe that Ivy just landed a job based on a friend's recommendation with no skill set at all. And to have found an apartment as quickly as she did seems to be a little unusual too.

While the banter was good in this book, I found it very difficult to keep my focus. The ending was satisfying, but was sped up so quickly that I felt like I missed some of what happened in the interim.

Bonnie Walsh and Daniel Rosenberg did an okay job with the narration.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

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Audiobook Review: The Code for Love by Anne Marsh

Title: The Code for Love

Author: Anne Marsh
 
Buy Link: CLICK HERE

Publisher's Insight:
 
A software engineer convinced that algorithms and romance don’t mix takes a work road trip with her surfer-boy nemesis in this swoon-worthy enemies-to-lovers romance.

Her perfect plan has a gorgeous glitch…

Software engineer Pandora Fyffe is known for being prickly. The same can’t be said for world-famous surfer Ozzy Wylde, Pandora’s neighbor, a social media star beloved for his relaxed charm. The eight-pack abs and angelic face don’t hurt, either. Everyone likes Ozzy, while Pandora’s boss can barely remember her name.

But Pandora’s aiming to change all that with a new app that predicts a user’s ideal travel partner. Sure, there are bugs—the demo identified Ozzy as her perfect match! Now her boss wants them to take a romantic Mexican road trip filled with fake-dating posts to build their brand. At the end of it, one of them will win Pandora’s dream job.

Soon they’re rumbling through the beaches, deserts and fishing villages of Baja, letting their guards down, confessing fears, falling deeper. Nothing prepared her for sharing close quarters with the force of nature that is Ozzy—or for what will happen to her heart when the journey ends…

Review:

Pandora got fired for kissing surf god Ozzy and the face of the new campaign at work. Not a good day.

Fast forward, and Pandora sees someone climbing up the wall to the condo she lives in, and she rightfully calls the cops. But you'll never guess who was climbing the wall... Ozzy, of course.

When Pandora is in a pickle at work because of the ongoing prank war going on between her and Ozzy, he comes to her rescue and matches with her on the app she is building to find road trip buddies. Will they be able to live in a small camper van in Mexico while they try to enjoy their trip? Only time will tell.

I had a very hard time getting into this book, though I really wanted to. There was something about it that just seemed to drag on and on. And while there is an enemies to lovers trope, this seemed like an impossible gap to bridge. I give the book 3.5 stars, but have rounded up.

Mooreghan Martin read this book, and I think that's what saved the book for me. I could listen to her read just about anything.

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

************ I received this in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and have not been swayed by this fact. I NEVER charge for a review.