Category: ALC

ARC Review – Love Next Door

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Love Next Door by Helena Hunting

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Series: Lakeside #1

Release Date: July 27, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

When Dillion Stitch left her hometown, she had no intention of going back. But when her brother gets into trouble, Dillion reluctantly agrees to return home to take her place at the family business.

Being back in Pearl Lake after all these years feels familiar, but also brings a few surprises. She’s quick to notice that someone new has shown up at the cottage next door. Dillion gets more than an eyeful when she goes to check out the newcomer and meets Donovan “Van” Firestone—her beloved neighbor’s grandson—in all his unclothed glory.

Having gotten off to a rocky start, it’s not long before they begin bickering with each other all over town. All that back and forth inevitably sparks an undeniable attraction. But Dillion’s family has issues, Van’s family resents him, and neither Dillion nor Van feels truly at ease in the small town. For these Pearl Lake exiles, home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where things get complicated.

REVIEW

Dillion Stitch is back in Pearl Lake. Not really where she’d like to be, but after a series of circumstances all happen at once, she’s needed back home to help her family with their business. Dillion couldn’t wait to get out of the small town life and severed a lot of connections on her way out of Pearl Lake. Will she be able to handle small town life again where everyone is up in each other’s business?

Donovan Firestone has his own reasons for escaping to Pearl Lake. At first he was only coming to manage his grandmother’s estate. But soon he’s planning on staying a while. He doesn’t realize that Dillion and his grandma were close and that she has been keeping up with the estate when his beloved grandmother passed. These two don’t exactly hit it off, but soon they’re in each others spaces more and more often. Will they eventually act on their passion?

I really enjoyed Love Next Door. Having grown up in a small town myself, I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to leave. I didn’t end up going very far and still visit often and am so grateful for small town living! I also really related to Dillion as being the eldest sibling and really having to take charge of situations sometimes. Family life can be hectic and lovely at the same time and I love how Helena showcased those circumstances.

Van and Dillion had such great chemistry and I loved their sparks right from the beginning. Yes they both make mistakes, but their open and honest communication really added to their relationship. They truly were there for one another and I adored them.

I’m looking forward to the next book in the series – hopefully it’s Teagan’s story.

ARC Review – When Stars Collide

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When Stars Collide by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction

Heat Rating: 🔥

Series: Chicago Stars #9

Release Date: June 29, 2021

I received a complimentary copy and of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

Olivia Shore, international opera superstar, is a driven diva with a passion for perfection, a craving for justice, too many secrets—and a monumental grudge against the egotistical, lowbrow jock she’s been stuck with.

It’s Mozart meets Monday Night Football as the temperamental soprano and stubborn jock embark on a nationwide tour promoting a luxury watch brand. Along the way, the combatants will engage in soul-searching and trash talk, backstage drama and, for sure, a quarterback pass. But they’ll also face trouble as threatening letters, haunting photographs, and a series of dangerous encounters complicate their lives. Is it the work of an overzealous fan or something more sinister?

This is the emotional journey of a brilliant woman whose career is everything and a talented man who’ll never be happy with second place.  Tender and funny, passionate and insightful, this irresistible romantic adventure proves that anything can happen…when two superstars collide.

REVIEW

What happens when two stars from opposite spectrums collide? Renowned opera singer Olivia and NFL football quarterback Thad are both brand ambassadors for an upscale watch. Immediately they start off on the wrong foot. Olivia doesn’t want anything to do with jock Thad. Thad thinks Olivia is an uptight diva after she repeatedly freezes him out.

But the more time Thad and Olivia spend with one another, the more they realize how much they like each other. But soon enough Olivia’s life is being threatened and protective quarterback Thad will go to any length to keep Olivia safe. How long can these two before their passion ignites. And once that happens, how can they realistically make a relationship work between the two of them? They are both career driven and independent personalities.

I have read each and every single one of the Chicago Stars books and love the world that SEP has created! It was so much fun revisiting with some of the characters that we loved in previous books. I do feel like I had a harder time connecting with Thad and Olivia as a couple in When Stars Collide. There was often so much other stuff happening in the story and I wanted just a little more of their romance.

Audiobook:
Story: 3
Narration: 4
Overall: 3

The audiobook of When Stars Collide was narrated by Nicole Poole and I truly enjoyed the audiobook! I was laughing along Olivia and Thad while listening to Nicole narrate both of their voices. She did a wonderful job expressing each characters feeling and I won’t hesitate to pick up another audiobook narrated by Nicole!

While not my favorite book out of the series, When Stars Collide had a ton of fun and hilarious moments thrown in with some mystery and suspense to round it out!

ARC Review – The Queer Principles of Kit Webb

~ Tej ~ 6 Comments

The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: M/M Historical Fiction

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: June 8, 2021

Publisher: Avon

I received a complimentary copy and audiobook of this book from the publisher and TLC Book Tours

SYNPOSIS

Critically acclaimed author Cat Sebastian makes her trade paperback debut in a stunning historical romance about a reluctantly reformed highwayman and the aristocrat who threatens to steal his heart.

Kit Webb has left his stand-and-deliver days behind him. But dreary days at his coffee shop have begun to make him pine for the heady rush of thievery. When a handsome yet arrogant aristocrat storms into his shop, Kit quickly realizes he may be unable to deny whatever this highborn man desires.

In order to save himself and a beloved friend, Percy, Lord Holland must go against every gentlemanly behavior he holds dear to gain what he needs most: a book that once belonged to his mother, a book his father never lets out of his sight and could be Percy’s savior. More comfortable in silk-filled ballrooms than coffee shops frequented by criminals, his attempts to hire the roughly hewn highwayman, formerly known as Gladhand Jack, proves equal parts frustrating and electrifying.

Kit refuses to participate in the robbery but agrees to teach Percy how to do the deed. Percy knows he has little choice but to submit and as the lessons in thievery begin, he discovers thievery isn’t the only crime he’s desperate to commit with Kit.

But when their careful plan goes dangerously wrong and shocking revelations threaten to tear them apart, can these stolen hearts withstand the impediments in their path?

REVIEW

Percy, Lord Holland finds himself in an usual predicament. He is being blackmailed and needs an item from his father. Not just any item, but a particular book that his father keeps on his person at all times. Percy and his father do not have a good relationship and Percy needs to find a way to get this book – at all costs!

Reformed highwayman Kit Webb now runs a coffee shop. He’s not exactly the nicest barista, but he makes do with what he has. When aristocrat Percy shows up at his coffee shop with a proposition, Kit’s first instinct is to turn him down. But the more he thinks about it the more it excites him. Maybe he can teach Percy his tips and tricks instead? Is this going to be a complete disaster? And them more time Percy and Kit spend together – their sizzling chemistry seems to only get stronger.

I adored The Queer Principles of Kit Webb. Percy and Kit were just so fun! I loved their banter, their sarcastic quips and their respective backstories. These two had more in common than they initially thought.

Audiobook:

Story: 4.5
Narration: 5
Overall: 4.5

The audiobook for The Queer Principles of Kit Webb was narrated by Joel Leslie and I truly enjoyed this audiobook so much! I loved the way Joel was able to voice both Percy and Kit. The way he was able to convey humor, sadness or excitement was perfect! I hope to be able to listen to more audiobooks from Joel Leslie in the future!

If you’re looking for a M/M historical romance that is funny, romantic and tender I would definitely pick up The Queer Principles of Kit Webb! I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Hang the Moon ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Rating: 🔥🔥

Series: Written in the Stars #2

Release Date: May 25, 2021

Publisher: Avon

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and audiobook courtesy of Harper Audio & Libro.fm

SYNOPSIS

In a delightful follow-up to Written in the Stars, Alexandria Bellefleur delivers another #ownvoices queer rom-com about a hopeless romantic who vows to show his childhood crush that romance isn’t dead by recreating iconic dates from his favorite films…

Brendon Lowell loves love. It’s why he created a dating app to help people find their one true pairing and why he’s convinced “the one” is out there, even if he hasn’t met her yet. Or… has he? When his sister’s best friend turns up in Seattle unexpectedly, Brendon jumps at the chance to hang out with her. He’s crushed on Annie since they were kids, and the stars have finally aligned, putting them in the same city at the same time.

Annie booked a spur-of-the-moment trip to Seattle to spend time with friends before moving across the globe. She’s not looking for love, especially with her best friend’s brother. Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet, dorky kid. Except, the 6-foot-4 man who shows up at her door is a certified Hot Nerd and Annie… wants him? Oh yes.

Getting involved would be a terrible idea—her stay is temporary and he wants forever—but when Brendon learns Annie has given up on dating, he’s determined to prove that romance is real. Taking cues from his favorite rom-coms, Brendon plans to woo her with elaborate dates straight out of Nora Ephron’s playbook. The clock is ticking on Annie’s time in Seattle, and Brendon’s starting to realize romance isn’t just flowers and chocolate. But maybe real love doesn’t need to be as perfect as the movies… as long as you think your partner hung the moon.

REVIEW

Annie has made a plan. She’s going to move from Philadelphia to London where a career advancement awaits her. But before she does that she decides to spend some quality time with her best friend Darcy in Seattle. Except… Darcy isn’t there – she’s on vacation with her girlfriend Elle. Darcy decides Annie will have to get to know Seattle better with her brother Brendon! Annie remembers Brendon as a sweet dorky kid – so she doesn’t think anything of it. Except Brendon isn’t so dorky now – he’s actually smoking hot and there is a definite attraction between the two of them.

Brendon is a big fan of love. He loves love and everything that goes along with it. The grand gestures, the romance movies – everything! Annie is the opposite and doesn’t see love lasting after the happily ever after. Brendon decides to show Annie that romance is real by taking her on romantic outings in and around Seattle. Will he eventually get her to believe in love and stop her from moving halfway across the globe and settle in Seattle instead?

After reading Written in the Stars last year I couldn’t wait to read Hang the Moon ! Annie and Brendon were so cute together. Their scenes either had me laughing out loud or I had hearts in my eyes. I loved how swoony their romance was. And although I’m not a big fan of insta-love, I did believe in the romance between Annie and Brendon.

I loved seeing Darcy, Elle and Margot again too! The easy dynamic between all of the characters really added to the storyline for me. Not only did I love Brendon and Annie together, but I also loved how deep Annie and Darcy’s friendship was.

Audiobook:

Story: 4.5
Narration: 5
Overall: 5

Hang the Moon was narrated by Lauren Sweet and I think she did a wonderful job narrating both Annie and Brendon. I switched back and forth between the audiobook and the e-book version of Hang the Moon and I loved how easily Lauren was able to take me to Annie and Brendon’s world. I listened to the audiobook on my runs, on my commute and any other chance I got! I feel like the audiobook really added to Annie and Brendon’s characters.

Add Hang the Moon to your TBR if you’re looking for a funny, swoony and sweet romance. I would rate Hang the Moon 4.5-5 stars (rounding up).

I can’t wait for Margot’s story next!

The Devil in Her Bed ARC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

The Devil in Her Bed by Kerrigan Byrne

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Devil You Know #3

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: March 9, 2021

I received a complimentary audiobook and copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

He lives in secret service to the Crown—a man of duty, deception, and an undeniable attraction to a woman who threatens to tear his whole world apart.

They call him the Devil of Dorset. He stands alone, a man of undeniable power. Moving in and out of shadows, back alleys and ballrooms, he is unstoppable and one of the Crown’s most dangerous weapons. However, when he sets his sights on the undeniably beautiful Countess of Mont Claire, Francesca Cavendish, he doesn’t realize that he has met a match like no other.

TRUE LOVE WEARS NO DISGUISE

Francesca is a countess by day and stalks her prey—those responsible for the death of her family—by night. What she does not expect is to be thrown into the path of the devil himself, the Earl of Devlin. She has secrets of her own and he seems determined to lay them bare. Can her heart survive finding the love of her life and losing him when all is revealed?

REVIEW

Lady Francesca is out for one thing and one thing only – revenge. After her family was massacred the only thing that kept her going was the end goal – to kill everyone that ever harmed her family. Chandler – also known as the Devil of Dorset has his own secrets and for now he’s after one thing – Lady Francesca. When both of them realize that they are after the same goal – will their attraction to one another cause issues for them?

I loved the relationship between Francesca and Chandler. They had so much simmering sexual tension between them and I enjoyed how raw their attraction was to one another. In a sense The Devil in Her Bed was also a fated mates romance, and I loved how Francesca and Chandler’s past was intertwined with their future. The suspenseful parts of the book also had me hooked and I loved the way everything played out.

It was great to see how every single one of these characters came together for the last book in the series. I only wish there was an epilogue!

Audiobook:

Story: 4
Narration: 5
Overall: 4.5

I am a fan of Derek Perkins and he did a wonderful job narrating The Devil in Her Bed. I could always tell when either Chandler or Francesca was happy, mad, frustrated or sad. He always does a great job conveying the different emotions in the characters in the book. And his accents were always so good!! I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and I think it definitely amplified how much I enjoyed The Devil in Her Bed.

If you’re looking for a suspenseful, sweet and sexy romance definitely give the Devil You Know series a try!

Act Your Age, Eve Brown ARC Review

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Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: The Brown Sisters #3

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

Release Date: March 9, 2021

I received a complimentary copy/audiobook of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

In Act Your Age, Eve Brown the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong—so she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It’s time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she’s not entirely sure how…

Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry—and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.

Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore—and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.

REVIEW

Eve Brown has held a few different jobs over the past few years. The latest one being a kind of disaster – oops! Eve’s parents are a bit harsh and decide to cut Eve off for a while until she can hold down a job.

Eve is upset, but understands (kinda) her parents reasoning for cutting her off. While taking a long drive she happens upon a charming Inn. This is where she meets Jacob Wayne – owner of said Inn. Jacob and Eve immediately do not get a long. Jacob just happens to be interviewing for a cook and Eve just happens to be looking for a job. The interview doesn’t go so great and while leaving, Eve manages to hit Jaco with her car (yikes!). And now Eve kind of has to stay to help out Jacob because – she did kind of hit him with her car.

What starts off as a rocky working relationship slowly turns into a tentative friendship. I loved the relationship between Eve and Jacob. They are literally the definition of sunshine and grump with Jacob even nicknaming Eve “Sunshine” (swoon 😍). I loved the slow growth of their relationship and how they didn’t ever shy away from hard subjects for both of them.

I really liked the fact that Jacob was very outright and forthcoming with his autism. And that he felt at ease with Eve. Eve hasn’t always had the best relationships with friends either and so it was a joy watching their friendship bloom. They were always free to be each other when they were together.

As always, Talia is such a talented author. There are always specific lines that stick with me when reading her books and I definitely highlighted parts of Act Your Age, Eve Brown that I will be going back to revisit.

Audiobook:

Story: 4.5
Narration: 5
Overall: 5

I had an opportunity to listen to the the audiobook of Act Your Age, Eve Brown and it was so good! The audiobook was narrated by Ione Butler and I feel that she did a wonderful job narrating Eve, Jacob and all of the secondary characters in the book. I was laughing so hard while listening to this book and that just goes to show you how amazing and talented the author and narrator are!

Grab Act Your Age, Eve Brown if you’re looking for an enemies-to-lovers/grumpy sunshine romance that will have you laughing and swooning in equal measures!

Flirting with Forever ALC Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

Flirting with Forever by Cara Bastone

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Forever Yours #3

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: January 26, 2021

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

Mary Trace is bright, bubbly and back in the dating pool in her midthirties. All of her closest friends are in love, and she refuses to miss out on romance. So when a regular customer at her trendy Brooklyn boutique wants to set Mary up on a blind date with her son, she gives a hesitant yes. John Modesto-Whitford is gorgeous and well-groomed, so maybe dinner won’t be a total bust—until he drops a less-than-flattering comment about Mary’s age.

Desperate to be nothing like his snake of a politician father, public defender John Modesto-Whitford prides himself on his honesty and candor. But his social awkwardness and lack of filter just blew it with the most beautiful woman he’s ever dated.

Luckily, Mom’s machinations keep Mary and John running into each other all summer long, and soon they resort to fake dating to get her to back off. When their pretense turns to real friendship—and some surprisingly hot chemistry—can these two stubborn individuals see past their rocky start to a rock-solid future together?

REVIEW

Mary agrees to a blind date with the son of one of her clients. She’s back in the dating pool and is an optimistic person by nature. When the date starts off on the wrong foot, Mary tries to give John Modesto-Whitford the benefit of the doubt. But when John drops a less than flattering comment about Mary’s age, she’s out. She doesn’t deserve to sit on a blind date and feel harassed.

As soon as the words leave John’s mouth, he knows he should never have said them. He tries to make things right with Mary and even seeks her out at her shop to apologize in person. But that setback landed him firmly in the friend zone.

The more time Mary and John seem to spend with each other – the harder it is to not want something more. They understand each others vulnerabilities and complicated familial relationships. Both John and Mary are fighting their own battles with their loved ones, but can always rely on one another. Will they end up taking a chance on one another after their rocky beginning?

Audiobook:

Story: 5
Narration: 5
Overall: 5

The audiobook of Flirting with Forever was narrated by Susannah Jones and I loved her narration of both Mary and John. I could always feel the varying emotions from both characters – from frustration to elation. I enjoyed the audiobook so much that I would often find things to do around the house or walk just so I could continue listening to the audiobook of Flirting with Forever.

I’m not sure why I haven’t read a book by Cara Bastone before, but I can’t wait to read more of her backlist! I really enjoyed the sweet, sexy slow burn romance in Flirting with Forever!

How to Catch a Queen Audiobook Review

~ Tej ~ 2 Comments

How to Catch a Queen by Alyssa Cole

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Runaway Royals #1

Heat Level: 🔥🔥

Release Date: January 10, 2021

I received a complimentary audiobook of this title from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

An arranged marriage leads to unexpected desire, in the first book of Alyssa Cole’s Runaway Royals series…

When Shanti Mohapi weds the king of Njaza, her dream of becoming a queen finally comes true. But it’s nothing like she imagined. Shanti and her husband may share an immediate and powerful attraction, but her subjects see her as an outsider, and everything she was taught about being the perfect wife goes disastrously wrong.

A king must rule with an iron fist, and newly crowned King Sanyu was born perfectly fitted for the gauntlet, even if he wishes he weren’t. He agrees to take a wife as is required of him, though he doesn’t expect to actually fall in love. Even more vexing? His beguiling new queen seems to have the answers to his country’s problems—except no one will listen to her.

By day, they lead separate lives. By night, she wears the crown, and he bows to her demands in matters of politics and passion. When turmoil erupts in their kingdom and their marriage, Shanti goes on the run, and Sanyu must learn whether he has what it takes both to lead his people and to catch his queen.

REVIEW

Sanyu is the newly crowned King of Njaza and he is expected to marry. He doesn’t exactly want to marry, but his father is ill and would like for Sanyu to marry before he dies. He doesn’t expect to stay married for long as the usual marriage term ends in 4 months and then the king is free to choose his next wife if he so chooses.

Shanti was born to be queen. She feels a spark when she first meets Sanyu, but then weeks go by and he doesn’t even try to interact with her. She has many ideas to change the kingdom for the better, but how can she implement them if no one gives her the time to listen – especially her husband, the king?

I liked the marriage of convenience aspect between Sanyu and Shanti. But I do feel like some of the chemistry was lacking. The book had a slower pace in the beginning and it took me a while to get into the story, but that picked up towards the end.

Audiobook

Story: 3.5
Narration: 4
Overall: 3.5

I enjoyed the audiobook of How to Catch a Queen narrated by Karen Chilton. This was my first book by Karen Chilton and I feel like she did a wonderful accent for the voices of Sanyu and Shanti. I was always able to tell the various emotions a character was going through.

Overall I would rate How to Catch a Queen 3.5 stars.

Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas Audiobook Review

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Married by Morning by Lisa Klepyas

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: The Hathaways #4

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

I received a complimentary audiobook copy of this book from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

He is everything she wants to avoid…

For two years, Catherine Marks has been a paid companion to the Hathaway sisters—a pleasant position, with one caveat. Her charges’ older brother, Leo Hathaway, is thoroughly exasperating. Cat can hardly believe that their constant arguing could mask a mutual attraction. But when one quarrel ends in a sudden kiss, Cat is shocked at her powerful response—and even more so when Leo proposes a dangerous liaison.

She is not at all what she seems…

Leo must marry and produce an heir within a year to save his family home. Catherine’s respectable demeanor hides a secret that would utterly destroy her. But to Leo, Cat is intriguing and infernally tempting, even to a man resolved never to love again. The danger Cat tried to outrun is about to separate them forever—unless two wary lovers can find a way to banish the shadows and give in to their desires… 

REVIEW

Catherine Marks has been with the Hathaway household for two years. She very much enjoys her time with the Hathaway sisters, but absolutely dislikes their brother Leo Hathaway. He is rude, arrogant and rubs Cat the wrong way.

Leo knows that there is something that Catherine Marks is hiding and he is hell bent on figuring it out. If he purposely needles Miss Marks to get a rise out of her – so what? After one of of their tussles ends in a passionate kiss, Leo and Cat can’t stop thinking about one another. Added to the growing attraction between Leo and Catherine, Leo must also marry and produce an heir within a year in order to keep the estate his family resides in. What will Leo find that Cat is trying to hide and will it abruptly stop their attraction towards one another?

So many friends recommended that I read the Hathaway series and I finally had an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of Married by Morning. I LOVED Leo and Cat so much. Lisa Kleypas is queen at writing witty banter and the dialogue between Leo and Cat often left me laughing out loud. These two had so much sexual tension and I love that the book started off with a bang and their attraction only grew from there!

Audiobook:

Story: 5
Narration: 5
Overall: 5

The audiobook of Married by Morning was narrated by Rosalyn Landor and I feel she did a wonderful job narrating Leo and Cat! I was often amused listening to Cat and Leo bickering and then swooning over how much they cared for one another. This was a wonderful audiobook and I found myself making my walk longer, finding extra chores to do around the house so I could continue listening to Married by Morning.

Although Married by Morning is part of a series, I read it out of order and it completely stands alone. I can’t wait to go back and read the rest of this series!!

Not My Match ARC Review

~ Tej ~ Leave a comment

Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: The Game Changers #2

Release Date: January 19, 2021

Heat Level: 🔥🔥🔥

I received a complimentary copy and ALC from the publisher.

SYNOPSIS

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills delivers a smart and sexy romance about a professional football hottie and the girl he’s sworn to never touch.

Homeless and heartbreakingly innocent, Giselle Riley walks into my penthouse and chaos follows.

I shouldn’t have invited the girl genius to live with me, but it’s clear she needs my help—not only for a place to lay her pretty blonde head but in finding real love, which she’s not going to get with the crazy men she picks up online.

Too bad she’s a twenty-four-year-old virgin and I’m a bad boy wide receiver. She’s off limits for a hardcore player like me—and we’re just friends.

Instead, I’m her matchmaking service, no matter how jealous it makes me when I tag along on her dates.

I can keep my self-control. Right? No way will I give in to everything inside me that dreams of a girl like her in my world.

I may be the best wide receiver in the country, but how could I hold on to a girl like her?

REVIEW

Giselle Riley is book smart (she is a physicist after all), but she’s not having the best of luck with her dating life. It doesn’t help that Giselle’s brother in law, Jack (from Not My Romeo) has declared her off limits to his teammates including Jack’s best friend Devon. When a bad date leads Giselle to Devon’s night club, he ends up coming to her rescue and talks her into letting him set her up with a “perfect” date.

When an unfortunate circumstance leaves Giselle homeless for the moment, Devon comes to her rescue and lets her stay in his guest bedroom. Giselle and Devon slowly get to know one another – and Giselle even agrees to let Devon set her up on some dates. While roommates for the moment, Giselle and Devon end up spending a lot of time with one another. Will they stay friends or will their growing attraction towards one another lead to something more?

Immediately when Giselle and Devon were on the same page I could feel their electricity. I loved their sweet friends to lovers story. They truly took the time to get to know one another and that made me root for these two even more. Ilsa Madden-Mills definitely knows how to write steamy scenes and the sexy times between Devon and Giselle were so HOT! But underneath their physical attraction, both Devon and Giselle exposed their vulnerability and I loved that most of all.

Although I did read Not My Romeo, you don’t have to read these books in order to enjoy them. Not My Match can be read as a standalone.

Audiobook:

Story: 5
Narration: 5
Overall: 5

I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Not My Match. The audiobook was narrated by Summer Morton and Alexander Cendese. These two did an amazing job narrating Giselle and Devon. I had not listened to an audiobook narrated by either Summer Morton or Alexander Cendese, but I feel like both of them did a wonderful job portraying different emotions for their characters. I could always tell if Devon or Giselle were happy, sad or anxious. I really enjoyed listening to this duo narrate Not My Match.

If you’re looking for a forced-proximity, friends to lovers steamy romance – grab your copy of Not My Match.